Skin and soft tissue infections

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.