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Necrotizing Fasciitis Associated with Staphylococcus lugdunensis.
Tony Hung1, Soroush Zaghi, Jonathan Yousefzadeh
1Department of General Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
|June 8, 2012
Summary
Necrotizing fasciitis, a severe soft tissue infection, was linked to Group B Streptococcus and Staphylococcus lugdunensis. This marks the first reported case of this specific microbial combination causing the condition.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening soft tissue infection causing extensive tissue damage.
- Type 1 necrotizing fasciitis involves polymicrobial infections (non-Group A Streptococcus), while Type 2 involves Group A Streptococcus (GAS).
Observation:
- This study presents the first documented case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by a synergistic infection of Group B Streptococcus and Staphylococcus lugdunensis.
- Staphylococcus lugdunensis, typically a skin commensal, is known to cause skin and soft tissue infections, but not previously necrotizing fasciitis.
Findings:
- The identified microbial combination of Group B Streptococcus and Staphylococcus lugdunensis represents a novel cause of necrotizing fasciitis.
- This case expands the known spectrum of pathogens associated with severe soft tissue infections.
Implications:
- This finding necessitates considering Staphylococcus lugdunensis in the differential diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis, particularly in polymicrobial infections.
- Understanding novel microbial associations is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective treatment of necrotizing fasciitis.
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