Skin infections

When to Suspect GBS Cellulitis and Necrotizing Fasciitis in Infants

GBS infections in infants, cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis, although uncommon in infants, requires swift treatment with antibiotics and occasionally surgical debridement.

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Sweet syndrome affects males and females of all ages, but most cases occur in individuals age 30 to 50.13 Sweet syndrome is 3 times more common in females. It is considered idiopathic, but possible triggers include infection, malignancy, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications.13 Approximately 2% of cases are related to pregnancy; it most often arises during the first or second trimester.2 At onset, patients have sudden eruptions of tender, painful plaques or plaque-like nodules.13 The lesions usually appear on the face, neck, trunk, and limbs but occasionally affect the mouth, genitals, and eyes. Common symptoms include fever and arthralgia. Histopathologic examination will reveal neutrophilic infiltrates. Laboratory findings often include leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.13 Most cases resolve fairly quickly without treatment, but topical or oral corticosteroids can be used. Sweet syndrome does not appear to harm fetal health.2

Severe Cutaneous Drug Reaction to Hydroxychloroquine Delineated

Dibash Kumar Das, PhD

The delayed onset of a severe cutaneous reaction to hydroxychloroquine means clinicians may continue to see patients presenting with the symptoms.

Personalized Prophylaxis for Patients With ESBL Carriage Reduces Surgical Site Infection Risk

Zahra Masoud

Screening for extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) carriage before and personalizing prophylaxis for carriers after elective colorectal surgery reduces the risk of surgical site infections.

Vancomycin for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infection

Zahra Masoud

Using oral antibiotics when possible and limiting the durations of vancomycin treatment may decrease vancomycin-associated acute kidney injury in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.

High Prevalence of Antibiotic Use in First Nations Communities

Bradley van Paridon

A high prevalence of antibiotic use and skin and soft tissue infections caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were identified in Indigenous Canadian communities.

Acyclovir Not Beneficial With HSV Oropharyngeal Reactivation

Zahra Masoud

Preemptive use of acyclovir does not seem to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients with herpes simplex virus (HSV) oropharyngeal reactivation.

Household Transmission of MRSA Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Bradley van Paridon

Household environment plays a key role in the transmission of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that 3D printing “gives medical practitioners the ability to provide patients the most advanced care, while simultaneously minimizing the risk of complication in patients that meet specific medical requirements.” Using this technology, medical devices can be matched to exact patient specifications. 3D printing can be used to improve the lives of patients reliant on prosthetic limbs, replace human organ transplants, and speed up surgical procedures. In all its applications, 3D printing is “increasing the attention to detail in patient care.”2

Most Risk Factors for Prosthetic Joint Infection Treatment Nonresponse Hard to Modify

Bradley van Paridon

Eradication of prosthetic hip and knee joint infections is challenging, with failure rates >20% even in the setting of complete prosthesis removal.

Risk of stroke after herpes zoster in patients with autoimmune diseases

Varicella Strain Identity in First and Second Herpes Zoster Infection Episodes

Bradley van Paridon

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is extremely stable during the varicella replication phase and subsequent establishment of latency in sensory ganglia throughout the body.

Social Risk Factors Associated With Post-Colectomy Surgical Site Infections

Zahra Masoud

Infection prevention programs targeting low-income groups undergoing colectomy may be important in reducing surgical site infections.

Risk for Skin Infections, Diabetes Increase With Statin Use

Study shows mechanism of statins can induce onset of diabetes

Update on Efficacy of Treatments for Cutaneous Candidiasis

Linda Peckel

A review finds that fluconazole is the only commercially available evidence-based option for systemic treatment of cutaneous candidiasis.

Molluscum contagiosum occurs in approximately 5% to 18% of HIV-infected people, but is becoming rare in areas of the world with good access to highly effective antiretroviral therapies (HAART).16 It is caused by an infection of the epidermal keratinocytes by the molluscum contagiosum virus, a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Poxviridae family.16,17 Patients present with small (≤5 mm in diameter), raised lesions that are usually white, pink, or flesh colored with a dimple or pit in the center.17 The lesions are typically smooth, firm, and pearly appearing, and can affect any area of the body, although they are rarely found on the palms or soles. They may occur as solitary lesions or in groups and typically resolve within 6 to 12 months without any scarring.17 Genital lesions may take longer to resolve, and healing times up to 4 years have been reported.16,17 Photo Credit: Medical Images RM/AL LAMME.

Berdazimer Sodium Plus Hydrogel Provides Rapid Lesion Clearance in Molluscum Contagiosum

Brandon May

SB206 12% represents a well-tolerated topical treatment for molluscum contagiosum that can be applied at home by patients or caregivers, solving an unmet medical need.

DAIR Linked With High Readmission/Deep Surgical Site Infection of Prosthetic Joints

Sweta Gupta

Polymicrobial prosthetic joint infections managed with surgical debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) had high readmission rates and deep surgical site infections.

Length of Hospital Stay Improved With Dalbavancin Therapy in ABSSSI

Nicole Clemons

Length of stay for ABSSSI hospital admissions were significantly improved after implementing dalbavancin therapy with the ENHANCE ABSSSI trial.

Once-Daily Omadacycline Noninferior to Twice-Daily Linezolid for ABSSSI in Adults

Sweta Gupta

Once-daily oral omadacycline was noninferior to twice-daily oral linezolid in adults with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.

Ceftaroline Approved for Younger Patients to Treat Acute Bacterial Skin/Skin Structure Infections

Diana Ernst, RPh

The FDA has expanded the indication for Teflaro to include treatment of ABSSSI in pediatric patients from birth to less than 2 months of age.

16S rDNA PCR Improves Bacterial Pyomyositis Diagnosis

Zahra Masoud

Using a broad-range PCR technique targeting 16S ribosomal DNA may improve diagnosis and treatment of bacterial pyomyositis.

Deep Surgical Site Infection After Knee Fracture Repair

Zahra Masoud

Orthopedic surgeons should be vigilant when managing periarticular knee fracture repairs.

Staphylococcus aureus Colonization Associated With Food Sensitization and Allergy, Not Eczema Severity

Brandon May

The association of S aureus with food sensitization and allergy could influence interventions aimed at inducing and maintaining tolerance to food allergens in eczematous infants.

Bacteremia Risk in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Infectious Disease Advisor Contributing Writer

Prediction of sepsis via markers such as hypothermia and elevated procalcitonin may allow for its early detection and management.

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