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Skin and soft tissue infections

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Ramsay, ID 
Török, ME 

Abstract

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) range from common superficial skin infections to rare but life-threatening infections such as necrotizing fasciitis. They affect all ages. Predisposing factors include trauma, pre-existing dermatoses, diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression. SSTIs are often caused by organisms that colonize the skin, such as Staphylococcus aureus or group A streptococci, because of a breach in the skin's integrity. Community-acquired meticillin-resistant S. aureus is increasingly recognized as a cause of SSTI. Treatment is usually with topical or systemic antimicrobials, directed against the suspected organism. Outpatient intravenous antibiotics are increasingly used, and new antimicrobials are emerging for use in these infections. Urgent surgical debridement is sometimes required.

Description

Keywords

3207 Medical Microbiology, 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 3202 Clinical Sciences, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Skin, Infection

Journal Title

Medicine (United Kingdom)

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1357-3039
1365-4357

Volume Title

45

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Academy of Medical Sciences (unknown)