Cellulitis of the skin: clinical observations of 50 cases

Fifty patients with cellulitis were seen consecutively during a six month period at the Jewish General Hospital. Two groups could be identified. Group 1 patients had no evidence of wound suppuration, no portal of entry was identified, there was no underlying disease state other than a history of having had cellulitis in the past, and a bacterial pathogen was isolated in 43.5% of the aspirates. In contrast, group 2 patients had small abscesses at a readily identifiable portal of entry, and the diagnosis was established on gram stain and culture of the aspirate in 89%. Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus pyogenes were isolated with equal frequency in both groups of patients. Implications for therapy are discussed.