Unusual skin infections in children (including the immunocompromised child)

SummaryBacteria, viruses and fungi commonly cause skin infection in healthy children. When infection with these common pathogens occurs in an immunocompromised host, it may be severe or atypical in presentation. An immunocompromised child is also susceptible to a range of less common opportunistic environmental pathogens. A low index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose these less commonly found infections, and the biopsy and culture of unusual lesions is an important diagnostic tool.