Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction
06:19

Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction

Published on: November 6, 2019

[Infectious skin diseases in childhood. 1: Bacteria and fungi]

W Pfützner1

  • 1MMW-Stipendiat, Forschungsschwerpunkt Genodermatosen, Klinik u. Poliklinik für Dermatologie u. Allergologie der LMU München. Wolfgang_Pfutzner@web.de

MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin
|July 26, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric skin infections, including bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic types, are common. Accurate diagnosis through history, clinical signs, and pathogen culture is key for effective treatment of these diverse dermatological conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatopathology

Context:

  • Skin infections are the most frequent diseases encountered in pediatric dermatology.
  • Accurate diagnosis is essential for successful treatment outcomes.
  • A wide range of pathogens can cause pediatric skin conditions.

Purpose:

  • To outline common infectious agents affecting pediatric skin.
  • To emphasize the importance of diagnostic methods in pediatric dermatology.
  • To categorize various pathological skin alterations caused by infections in children.

Summary:

  • Bacterial infections include impetigo, scarlet fever, borreliosis, and cat-scratch fever.
  • Fungal infections involve dermatophytoses (tinea capitis, tinea corporis) and Candida albicans.
  • Viral infections encompass measles, rubella, varicella, herpes simplex, and Papillomavirus.
  • Parasitic infestations include scabies and head lice.

Impact:

  • Highlights the prevalence and diversity of pediatric skin infections.
  • Underscores the critical role of diagnostic accuracy in managing pediatric dermatological conditions.
  • Provides a foundational overview for clinicians and researchers in pediatric infectious dermatology.

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Infection01:20

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...