[Localized bacterial skin infections and dermatologic manifestations of systemic infections]

Localized bacterial skin infections are frequent. In furunculosis, a local treatment is usually sufficient. In case of frequent recurrence a possible staphylococcus aureus colonization should be looked for and eliminated. Erysipela is treated by systemic antibiotics in order to avoid complications such as streptococcal gangrena or parainfectious glomerulonephritis. Anaerobic cellulitis and gas gangrena are postoperative or posttraumatic infections of the soft tissues which require a combined surgical and antibiotic treatment. Systemic infections may be recognized by characteristic skin lesions. These skin lesions are the consequence of bacterial emboli, vasculitis, intravascular coagulation or toxins, respectively. Examples for such manifestations are lesions in endocarditis, purpura fulminans, ekthyma gangrenosum, disseminated candidemia and toxic shock syndrome.