[Diagnosis of severe skin infections, epidemiology and clinical semiology]

DIAGNOSIS OF SEVERE SKIN INFECTIONS, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL SEMIOLOGY. Serious skin infections are mainly represented by necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTI). They are rare but associated with a high mortality rate and severe long-term sequelae. Despite their relatively low incidence, most physicians may see at least one case of NSTI throughout their career. The main difficulty lies in establishing an early diagnosis with a rapid distinction of necrotizing soft tissue infections from non-necrotizing soft tissue infection. Early diagnosis and surgical management are major prognostic factors.