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Rapidly fatal necrotising fasciitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes
P M Donaldson1, B Naylor, J W Lowe
1Department of Clinical medicine, University of Leeds.
Aims:
To describe the morbid anatomical and bacteriological features in a series of five cases of rapidly fatal Streptococcus pyogenes necrotising fasciitis.
Methods:
Post mortem and bacteriological examinations were made of five patients dying within 48 hours from rapidly fatal necrotising fasciitis.
Results:
All five cases died rapidly from a toxic Streptococcus toxin syndrome as a result of developing necrotising fasciitis following trivial injury.
Conclusions:
Necrotising fasciitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes infection can be rapidly fatal. This is probably the result of a toxic shock syndrome. Rapid, early diagnosis and swift and probably empirical treatment is required to avoid a fatal outcome.