Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home
02:28

Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home

Published on: March 1, 2024

[Unilateral neck inflammation in psoriasis]

T Oettl1, E Ramseier

  • 1Medizinische Poliklinik, Universitätsspital Basel.

Praxis
|February 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A cervical abscess, indicated by local inflammation and systemic symptoms, can arise from skin scratching. Streptococcus pyogenes was identified as the causative agent in this case.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Abscess diagnosis often relies on local inflammation and systemic symptoms like fever, even in well-appearing patients.
  • Identifying the site of bacterial entry is crucial for effective treatment and understanding disease spread.
  • Psoriasis can lead to intense itching, increasing the risk of skin self-trauma.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with symptoms suggestive of an abscess.
  • The patient had a history of severe psoriasis leading to periauricular (around the ear) scratching.
  • The abscess was located in the neck (cervical region).

Findings:

  • The cervical abscess was linked to Streptococcus pyogenes infection.
  • The bacterial penetration likely occurred via scratching related to psoriasis.
  • The case highlights a connection between dermatological conditions and secondary bacterial infections.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of managing skin conditions like psoriasis to prevent complications.
  • It emphasizes the need to consider Streptococcus pyogenes in cervical abscesses, especially with a history of skin lesions or scratching.
  • Early identification and treatment of the causative bacteria are essential for abscess resolution and preventing systemic spread.

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
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...
Muscles that Move the Head01:19

Muscles that Move the Head

The muscles that move the head are a dynamic and complex group of structures that work together to facilitate a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending.
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I01:22

Spinal Nerves: Plexus I

Nerve plexuses are networks of interlacing nerves that serve as communication hubs to distribute and organize nerve action across various body regions. The nerve plexuses are organized into the cervical plexus located in the neck region, brachial plexus in the shoulder area, lumbar plexus found in the lower back, sacral plexus situated in the pelvis, and coccygeal plexus located in the coccygeal region.
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
Chickenpox01:20

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...