Group A streptococcal skin infections after indoor association football tournament

Infectious Diseases Associated With Organized Sports and Outbreak Control

Participation in organized sports has a variety of health benefits but also has the potential to expose the athlete to a variety of infectious diseases, some of which may produce outbreaks. Major risk factors for infection include skin-to-skin contact with athletes who have active skin infections, environmental exposures and physical trauma, and sharing of equipment and contact with contaminated fomites. Close contact that is intrinsic to team sports and psychosocial factors associated with adolescence are additional risks. Minimizing risk requires leadership by the organized sports community (including the athlete's primary care provider) and depends on outlining key hygiene behaviors, recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of common sports-related infections, and the implementation of preventive interventions.

Infections associated with pediatric sport participation

Infections occur in childhood and adolescent athletes just as they do in all children and adolescents. Because of the sports environment, and in some instances the sport itself, athletes can be prone to infections that will alter their athletic performance or present risks to other athletes. Recognition of the infectious risks related to sports and the options for their treatment or, better yet, prevention, can help young athletes perform to their utmost potential.

Overview of the etiology of wound infections with particular emphasis on community-acquired illnesses

Wound cultures represent a general catchall category for a group of extremely diverse anatomic samples that range from superficial specimens of cutaneous structures (folliculitis, cellulitis) to specimens revealing invasive infections involving deep fascial planes and muscle (myonecrosis). Because of the complex nature of these infective processes, the terminology associated with such infections is often imprecise and confusing. Wounds are the result of trauma, either intentionally or accidentally induced. Nosocomial wound infections result primarily from surgical procedures, the development of pressure sores, or catheterization. Community-acquired wound infections are often preceded by injuries resulting from occupational exposure or recreational activities and are associated with a greater diversity of microorganisms due to the exposure of open wounds to inhabitants of the microbial biosphere. This review provides a general overview of the categories of wound infections and describes their acquisition and clinical significance. Particular emphasis is placed on selected community-acquired wound infections and the etiologic agents associated with such conditions.