Treatment of bacterial skin and soft tissue infections

T M File1, J S Tan

  • 1Service of Infectious Disease, Akron City Hospital, Ohio.

Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics
|January 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial skin infections vary widely in severity. Effective management and antibiotic choice depend on the specific bacteria, infection site, and patient factors like diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Bacterial skin infections are common, ranging from mild to life-threatening.
  • Severity, management, and prognosis depend on infection mechanism, affected skin structures, and causative organisms.
  • Infections can be primary (via skin breaks or bloodstream) or secondary (from trauma, burns, wounds, or ischemia).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the causes, bacteriologic factors, and management of bacterial skin infections.
  • To focus on pyodermas, diabetic foot infections, and necrotizing soft tissue infections.
  • To discuss antibiotic selection and the role of parenteral antibiotics in severe cases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of bacteriologic factors.
  • Examination of treatment strategies for various skin infections.
  • Evaluation of antibiotic susceptibility patterns and specific agents.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic selection is guided by the infecting organism and susceptibility patterns.
  • Necrotizing soft tissue infections may require prompt surgical intervention for limb salvage.
  • Parenteral antibiotics are crucial for severe infections, including those with bacteremia.

Conclusions:

  • Appropriate and timely management is essential for favorable outcomes in bacterial skin infections.
  • Understanding causative agents and resistance patterns informs effective antibiotic therapy.
  • Combination therapies, such as ticarcillin disodium/clavulanate potassium, offer treatment options.

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