[Empirical antibiotic therapy of complicated skin and soft tissue infections in dermatological practice]

Andrea Magyar1, Edina Garaczi, Edit Hajdú

  • 1Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Bőrgyógyászati és Allergológiai Klinika, Szeged.

Orvosi Hetilap
|February 8, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Penicillin is the primary treatment for erysipelas, a Streptococcus pyogenes skin infection. However, complicated skin infections necessitate broad-spectrum antibiotics due to potential Gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria involvement.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Context:

  • Erysipelas is an acute bacterial skin infection, primarily caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.
  • Complicated erysipelas falls under complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTI), involving severe skin issues or compromised hosts.
  • cSSTIs can involve Gram-negative bacilli and anaerobic bacteria.

Purpose:

  • To compare the efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapy for patients with erysipelas and cSSTIs.
  • To analyze data from 158 patients admitted to the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged.

Summary:

  • The study analyzed 158 patients with cSSTIs, examining microbiology cultures and isolates.
  • Empirical antibiotic therapy was administered following a set protocol.
  • Results indicate penicillin is the first-line treatment for erysipelas.

Impact:

  • Highlights the need for broad-spectrum antibiotics in treating complicated skin and soft tissue infections.
  • Informs clinical decision-making for empirical antibiotic selection in dermatology.
  • Contributes to understanding microbial patterns in cSSTIs.

Related Concept Videos

Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism01:27

Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism

Synergism is a useful mechanism where combining two or more drugs is more effective than each constituent used alone. Such combinations are also called supra-additive interactions. The drugs collectively enhance the final therapeutic effect by acting on different targets. Another advantage is that the low dose of each constituent drug is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. This helps reduce the duration of therapy and lower the adverse effects of these drugs.
Such synergistic combinations...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...