Pathogens and their resistance behavior in necrotizing fasciitis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening soft tissue infection.
• Timely broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement are critical for patient prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively analyze pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in NF cases over ten years.
• To guide optimal initial antibiotic selection for necrotizing fasciitis.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective microbiological study of 42 patients diagnosed with NF.
• Pathogen detection, resistance patterns, and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed.

Main Results:

• Type 1 (polymicrobial) NF occurred in 45% of patients, and Type 2 (monomicrobial) in 31%.
• Commonly identified pathogens included E. coli, staphylococci, Proteus mirabilis, enterococci, and Streptococcus pyogenes.
• Most detected pathogens showed sensitivity to guideline-recommended antibiotics.

Conclusions:

• Current guidelines for initial antibiotic therapy in NF appear accurate based on pathogen sensitivity.
• Further research is needed to identify risk factors for multidrug-resistant infections requiring advanced treatments like vancomycin/meropenem.