[Community-acquired cutaneous infections: causal role of some bacteria and sensitivity to antibiotics]

Identify the bacteria responsible for cutaneous infections observed in private practice and test their sensitivity to currently used antibiotics.

The patients were examined by dermatologists. A bacteriological sample was taken and sent to a central laboratory for identification of the germ and antibiograms were performed and the minimal inhibiting concentrations (MIC) determined.

Folliculitis, impetigo and furuncles were the three most frequent primary infections. Four hundred and forty-three patients were included and 442 samples were placed in culture. Cultures were positive in 265 cases (a single bacterial strain in 231 cases). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 208 cases, streptococci in 11 and enterobacteria in 3; occasionally several germs were present. Eight strains of staphylococci were meti-R (4 p. 100). All the strains were sensitive to pristinamycin and mupirocin and 90 p. 100 were sensitive to fusidic acid.

The occurrence and diffusion of resistant strains is a daily concern in hospitals. In general practice, although care must be taken, the problem rarely occurs and the antibiotics used remain effective.