Osteoarticular complications of erysipelas

Management of septic bursitis

Superficial septic bursitis is common, although accurate incidence data are lacking. The olecranon and prepatellar bursae are the sites most often affected. Whereas the clinical diagnosis of superficial bursitis is readily made, differentiating aseptic from septic bursitis usually requires examination of aspirated bursal fluid. Ultrasonography is useful both for assisting in the diagnosis and for guiding the aspiration. Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for 80% of cases of superficial septic bursitis. Deep septic bursitis is uncommon and often diagnosed late. The management of septic bursitis varies considerably across centers, notably regarding the use of surgery. Controlled trials are needed to establish standardized recommendations regarding antibiotic treatment protocols and the indications of surgery.

Erysipelas or cellulitis with a prosthetic joint in situ

We describe a case of a 60-year old male who developed an acute prosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the knee, secondary to erysipelas of the lower leg due to beta-hemolytic Group G streptococci. As it is unknown how often this phenomenon occurs in patients with prosthetic implants and which patients are most prone to develop this complication, we analyzed: i) the incidence of the development of a PJI in these patients and ii) the clinical characteristics of streptococcal PJI during an episode of erysipelas/cellulitis. Based on a retrospective analysis of patients with a prosthetic implant in situ presenting at the emergency department with erysipelas/cellulitis, 1 out of 10 patients developed a PJI. An additional analysis within a multicenter cohort on streptococcal PJI demonstrated in 22 patients that a secondary PJI due to erysipelas/cellulitis mostly develops in young implants (<5 years old). In 20 cases (91%), the skin infection was in the same limb as the joint prosthesis suggesting contiguous spread of bacteria. These data emphasizes the importance of preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of skin infections in patients with prosthetic implants, and if an erysipelas or cellulitis does occur, to monitor patients carefully.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Primary skin infections (ie, pyodermas) typically are initiated by some breach in the epidermis, resulting in infection by organisms, such as Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, that normally colonize the skin. Host-associated factors, such as immunosuppression, vasculopathy, neuropathy, or decreased lymphatic drainage, may predispose to skin infection. The clinical syndromes associated with skin infections are often characteristic and are defined most simplistically by anatomic distribution. Although often mild and self-limited, skin infections can be more aggressive and involve deeper structures, including fascia and muscle. This article discusses skin and soft tissue infections, including impetigo, hair follicle-associated infections (ie, folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles) erysipelas, cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, pyomyositis, septic bursitis, and tenosynovitis.

Suppurative tenosynovitis and septic bursitis

Suppurative tenosynovitis and septic bursitis are closed space infections of the musculoskeletal system. Appropriate antibiotics in combination with incision and drainage are generally recommended. Aggressive surgical management is particularly important in tenosynovitis to prevent tendon necrosis. Empiric antibiotic coverage should be directed toward staphylococci and streptococci. Patient characteristics and epidemiologic exposures may provide clues to unusual causative organisms that are occasionally encountered, such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pasteurella multocida, atypical mycobacteria, fungi, and protothecosis.

Rapidly progressive soft tissue infections

Skin and soft tissue infections are among the most common reasons for people to seek medical advice. They also represent one of the most common indications for antimicrobial therapy and account for approximately 7-10% of hospitalisations in North America. Although non-limb and non-life threatening infections may be treated on an out-patient basis with oral antibiotics, patients with more serious acute skin and soft tissue infections may require admission to hospital for management; this decision is especially true if the infection is rapidly progressive. We provide a concise overview of the differential diagnosis and approach to management of community-acquired rapidly progressive skin and soft tissue infections.