Necrotizing Fasciitis Research Paper

Cellulitis is an acute inflammatory illness of the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue (Black, 2009, p. 1225). The pathophysiology of cellulitis initiates when bacteria enters the skin, most commonly being streptococcus and/or staphylococcus. When the bacteria extends deeper into the dermis it causes an infection. Causing skin symptoms such as redness, swelling, and tenderness around the site of the infection. Skin areas that may be dry and flaking, broken, or wounded are the most prominent sites for bacteria to enter. Typically, cellulitis is treated with antibiotics. Possible complications of untreated cellulitis include: septicemia, muscle or bone infections, cellulitis around an eye may spread to the brain, bloodstream may spread to the

Some species have been isolated in the stomach, gallbladder, intestine, vagina, and skin of healthy persons. The bacteria produce toxins that dissolve cell membranes, causing death of muscle cells, massive spreading edema, hemolysis of red blood cells, hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, and renal failure. Characteristic of this disorder are the bubbles of hydrogen sulfide gas that form in the muscle. Gas gangrene is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection and surgical methods are used to remove the infected tissue. Amputation may be required to prevent spreading (Porth & Gaspard,

Acting on a hunch, he called for a second opinion who also believed it was a severe case of cellulitis, but ordered a biopsy of her leg tissue to prove Gawande’s hunch wrong. To their surprise, his past experience with a patient and seeing a flesh-eating virus up front paid off, Bratton did indeed have necrotizing facscitis and because of Gawande, her case was caught early enough that her life as well as her leg were

What are these other serious illnesses that are caused by group A Streptococcus? What is group A Streptococcus? Group A streptococci are bacteria commonly found in the throat and on the skin. The vast majority of GAS infections are relatively mild illnesses, such as strep throat and impetigo. Occasionally, however, these bacteria can cause much more severe and even life threatening diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis (occasionally described as "the flesh-eating bacteria") and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). In addition, people may carry group A streptococci in the throat or on the skin and have no symptoms of disease.

In S. pyogenes-associated necrotizing fasciitis, the bacteria first invade host fascia before spreading and causing more invasive damage. Initial GAS invasion can occur through three primary pathways: 1) preceding superficial infection; 2) direct inoculation; or 3) hematogenous seeding from a previous injury site. After colonization, GAS spread through the typically sterile fascial planes that separate muscle groups, which are only loosely held together by connective tissue. The streptococci then release several proteases and other virulence factors that cause localized tissue damage. Simultaneously, this dissemination prompts the arrival of acute inflammatory host cells; the response of polymorphouclear leukocytes (PMNs), in particular, can also contribute to the tissue damage characteristic of necrotizing fasciitis. Once the

Necrotizing Fasciitis is a medical infection which requires emergency professional help as soon as it is indicated. The break down of this name can create an idea of the common symptoms relating to the bacteria. For example "it is" means inflammation describing how the skin gets due to the dead skin tissue. This requires medical diagnosis before being able to be treated. Lab tests and/or imaging are always required. This can be short-term or long-term eventually being deadly. Fewer than 20,000 cases in the United States occur per year.

Not all bacteremias lead to sepsis. People have everyday bacteremia, particularly, from oral cavity, but sepsis develops rarely [27-31]. It occurs when the infection is resistant to host antibacterial defense. The latter is different in the bloodstream and tissues. If the infection develops locally (tissue, cavity, etc.) and then enters the bloodstream, there are two stages of sepsis: pre-septic (local) and septic (generalized). If infection enters the bloodstream directly from an external source (contaminated intravenous injection, bite, etc.), the pre-septic stage is absent. Local antibacterial defense is provided by phagocytosis (leukocytes and their local versions: resident macrophages), complement, NETs, etc., whereas in the bloodstream

Chapter thirteen features a twenty-three-year-old woman who came in with a red and swollen leg; typical cellulitis. She had a blister on her foot, sweats, chills, a 103 degree fever, and the skin up to her calf was red. Her doctor had ‘treated’ it with intravenous fluids, a tetanus shot, and a prescription for antibiotics. Then, the doctor had drawn a black line along the top of the redness and told her to come back if it spreads further. The following morning, a rash and more pain had developed along with the redness now reaching a portion of her thigh. Dr. Gawande began the exam by asking about any ulcers or pus, then checked the rash and leg. He came to the same conclusion as her doctor, cellulitis, but decided to check for necrotizing fasciitis based on a gut feeling and a

- Microorganisms from the environment through transmission from: carriers colonized at admission, admitted to wards without undergoing surveillance, isolation or eradication of the germ(s); patients who have developed the infection but who have not been isolated;contact with contaminated objects and surfaces; medical personnel, usually via their hands; invasive procedures such as the installation or maintenance of a device(1).

Gas gangrene happens when tissues do not get enough blood supply and that area dies. The causative agent in gas gangrene is C. perfringens microorganisms. According to Tortora, “they ferment carbohydrates in the tissue and produce gases (carbon dioxide and hydrogen) that swell the tissue (652).” The vector of gas gangrene is the bacteria and toxins that build up that causes the disease. Once the bacteria are present

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria which is the most common factor causing bone infection. Skin is likely

Osteomyelitis is a broad and debilitating disease typically triggered by a variety of conditions. Osteomyelitis starts off as inflammation seen within bone and bone marrow that can quickly progress into a large, subclassified infection. The length of time the infection has been present in the body and whether or not there is a pus formation or increased density among the infected bone is commonly used to classify severity. Pyrogenic bacteria or mycobacteria systematically attack the route and anatomic location of the infection evolving acute conditions into chronic ones. “Staphylococcus Aureus is a gram-positive, round shaped, non-mobile cocci typically found in clusters inside these wounds. Staphylococcus Aureus is one of the most common causes of infections after injury or surgery and affects nearly 500,000 patients in hospitals each year. Staphylococcus Aureus belongs to the family Staphylcoccaceae and survives by affecting all known mammalian species including humans” (www.news-medical.net). Osteomyelitis can start in one area of the body while spreading through the blood stream into other bone regions. Typical treatment options for Osteomyelitis includes antibiotics, removal of

The occurrences of Necrotizing Fasciitis, known as, flesh eating disease is recounted by Parkland memorial hospital researchers. It;s an uncommon infection. In 15 years 44 people were diagnosed at this hospital. The study discusses; causes, location, symptoms, diagnosis, labs, management, and mortality rate. They study reveals that 80% of patients infected was due to minor injuries. Seventeen patients had a recent history of minor abrasions, others reported they had recent procedures, while 8 patients reported that nothing had happened. Doctors speculate that it was unnoticed insect bites, boils, or possible small breaks in the skin. The predominant location of the infection are the extremities. Other locations were the abdomen, inguinal area,

Necrotizing Fasciitis, also known as the flesh-eating disease is developed from open wounds that get infected with bacteria. This rare disease also depends on the human system considering the fact of how healthy the person is in determining the low chances of having the disease. The infection is not only made up of one type of bacteria but a variety for example, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, to mention a few among others more. If lead to serious infection it can result to death or a loss of a limb. The best way to prevent this deadly infection is to keep open wounds clean and covered with bandages until it is healed. Symptoms of this disease may include pains of the muscles also the skin can turn red or purple and swell rapidly. This kind of

Virulence Factors: The most important virulence factor of S. aureus is the specific surface proteins that allow the organism to attach to host proteins. The surface proteins of this bacterium allow it to attach to host proteins such as laminin and fibronectin, which form the extracellular matrix of epithelial and endothelial cells. S. aureus also produces a number of membrane damaging toxins that allow the organism to further invade and harm the host, of which the alpha- toxin is the most well studied and is the protein responsible for septic shock. The alpha- toxin is a protein that binds to a specific receptor in platelets and monocytes in humans, forming pores that eventually destroy the cell.