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Published on: July 2, 2013
[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.
Unlabelled:
Erysipelas is an acute bacterial infection of the skin predominantly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. According to the international classification complicated erysipelas belongs to the complicated skin and soft tissue infections. Complicated infections are defined as severe skin involvement or when the infection occurs in compromised hosts. These infections frequently involve Gram-negative bacilli and anaerobic bacteria.
Aims:
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the empirical antibiotic therapy for the patients who were admitted to the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged.
Methods:
The empirical therapy was started according to a previously determined protocol. The data of 158 patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections were analyzed and the microbiology culture specimens and the isolates were also examined.
Results And Conclusions:
The results show that penicillin is the first choice for the treatment of erysipelas. However, the complicated skin and soft tissue infections require broad-spectrum antibiotics.
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.
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