Ecthyma gangrenosum: a cutaneous manifestation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis

Prevalence and clinical features of secondary skin lesions in septic patients with bloodstream infections

Cutaneous manifestations developed in the course of sepsis are poorly documented in the medical literature beyond those related to specific pathogens or classical clinical pictures such as purpura fulminans or ecthyma gangrenosum. The objective of this study was to determine the overall prevalence of sepsis-related skin findings and evaluate their possible impact on the prognosis of septic patients. Single-centre, retrospective study of septic patients with documented bloodstream infections admitted in a tertiary hospital during 2019. Primary skin and soft tissue infections, and non-sepsis-related skin conditions diagnosed during hospital admission were excluded. Unselected sample of 320 episodes of sepsis in 265 patients. Secondary skin lesions were documented in 57 sepsis episodes (17.8%) in 47 patients. Purpura (petechiae/ecchymosis) was the most frequent cutaneous finding in septic patients (35.5%), with non-acral involvement in more than one-third of the episodes (38.5%), followed by skin and soft tissue erythema/oedema (25.8%) and maculopapular rashes (11.3%). Secondary skin lesions occurred more frequently in sepsis of respiratory (p = 0.027) and skin and soft tissue (p = 0.018) origin, as well as in sepsis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (p = 0.001). Mean hospital stay was 38.58 days and sepsis-related mortality 21.1%. Our results suggest that cutaneous involvement in the course of sepsis is frequent, with purpura being the main clinical sign. The semiology described in this study, easily identifiable by non-dermatologists, should alert clinicians to the potential unfavourable course of these patients.

Clinical and Histopathologic Characteristics of the Main Causes of Vascular Occlusion - Part I: Thrombi

La patología vascular oclusiva es causante de diversas y variadas manifestaciones clínicas, algunas de las cuales son de catastróficas consecuencias para el paciente. Sin embargo, las causas de tal oclusión son muy variadas, extendiéndose desde trombos por acción descontrolada de los mecanismos de coagulación, hasta anomalías de los endotelios de los vasos u oclusión por materiales extrínsecos. En una serie de dos artículos hacemos una revisión de las principales causas de oclusión vascular, resumiendo sus manifestaciones clínicas principales y los hallazgos histopatológicos fundamentales. Esta primera parte corresponde a las oclusiones vasculares que cursan con trombos.

An Extraordinary Cause of the Sucking Difficulty: Ecthyma Gangrenosum

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a cutaneous lesion often associated with pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia, even though it may develop without bacteremia and may originate from other bacterial and fungal organisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia or sepsis, which mainly affects immunocompromised patients, frequently occurs in hospitals. This lesion typically occurs on the extremities and gluteal and perineal regions. In this report we present a case of ecthyma gangrenosum in a premature newborn occurring secondary to pseudomonas sepsis causing sucking dysfunction due to tissue loss in the lip, soft palate, and tongue.

Atypical case of ecthyma gangrenosum mimicking a breast cancer recurrence

A 68-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer presented with skin lesions and sternal pain. Clinical examination revealed ulcerative lesions on mastectomy scar and CT scan showed contiguous sternal osteolysis. The main hypothesis was a breast cancer recurrence; however, cutaneous and bone biopsies did not reveal any cancer cells. Skin tissue culture detected Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suggesting ecthyma gangrenosum despite the absence of bacteraemia in our patient and despite her immunocompetence. Surgical treatment was performed, followed by a long course of antibiotherapy.

Ecthyma gangrenosum of a single limb

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a skin manifestation of systemic sepsis commonly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with neutropenia or underlying immune deficiency. Although the usual outcome is poor, early recognition and appropriate systemic antibiotic treatment can lead to successful outcome. We report a case of a previously healthy lady with no apparent immune deficiency or neutropenia who had ecthyma gangrenosum of left lower limb in which the arterial line was placed.

[Septic vasculopathy]

Sepsis is one of the commonest causes of death around the world. The real frequency of cutaneous lesions in the setting of sepsis is unknown, but when they appear, they are usually one of the earliest signs of sepsis, thus allowing a rapid diagnosis of this potentially life-threatening condition. Four are the main physiopathologic mechanisms that can induce cutaneous lesions in sepsis: a) disseminated intravascular coagulation; b) direct vessel wall invasion by the microorganism; c) immune-mediated vasculitis, and d) septic embolism. We know that more than one of these mechanisms can appear in one single patient. In this review, we analyse these four mechanisms, their clinical presentation, and the histological findings that can be found in the cutaneous biopsy.

Ecthyma gangrenosum-like lesions in a healthy child after infection treated with antibiotics

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a cutaneous infection associated most commonly with pseudomonal sepsis in the immunocompromised patient. We describe a previously healthy 4-year-old boy who developed ecthyma gangrenosum-like lesions secondary to antibiotic treatment for possible streptococcal infection. The skin, ears, and extremities were involved. This presentation emphasizes the importance of awareness of the rare complication of ecthyma gangrenosum-like lesions associated with non-Pseudomonas bacterial infection treated with antibiotics, even in a previously healthy child.

Harlequin baby with ecthyma gangrenosum

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia or sepsis often occurs in hospitals, affecting mainly children with underlying disease. Ecthyma gangrenosum is classically considered a pathognomonic sign of sepsis by P. aeruginosa. The harlequin baby, a severe variant of ichthyosis, occurs rarely, and these infants are at high risk of cutaneous infections and sepsis. We herein report a harlequin baby who developed ecthyma gangrenosum.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic shock associated with ecthyma gangrenosum in an infant with agammaglobulinemia

Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rare and invasive infection that can be associated with agammaglobulinemia. The cornerstone of the treatment is based on prompt recognition with appropriate antibiotic coverage and intravenous immunoglobulin. The authors report a case of EG emphasizing the clinical and therapeutic aspects of this condition.

Is noma neonatorum a presentation of ecthyma gangrenosum in the newborn?

Noma neonatorum was suggested as a distinct entity characterized by a gangrenous process of the nose, oral cavity, eyelids and perineum that was almost universally fatal in premature infants with Pseudomonas sepsis. We report the first case of noma neonatorum in a 26-week-gestation twin born in the United States. Our case is consistent with previous descriptions of noma neonatorum; however, we question the distinction between noma neonatorum and a neonatal presentation of ecthyma gangrenosum.

Compartment syndrome in a patient with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia and ecthyma gangrenosum. Case report

Compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency that requires immediate decompression. We know of no documented cases that describe ecthyma gangrenosum as a primary cause of compartment syndrome. We present a case of a baby with x-linked agammaglobulinaemia who developed compartment syndrome associated with systemic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and ecthyma gangrenosum of the leg. He was treated by debridement and fasciotomies followed by primary closure and skin grafting and made an uneventful recovery.

Ecthyma gangrenosum in an AIDS patient with normal neutrophil count

Ecthyma gangrenosum is the cutaneous manifestation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia, typically affecting immunosuppressed patients, particularly those with neutropenia. Association with HIV disease has been rarely reported. We describe an unusual presentation of solitary ecthyma gangrenosum on the face of a non-neutropenic patient with AIDS.

Subcutaneous nodules with pseudomonas septicaemia in an immunocompetent patient

Pseudomonas septicaemia presenting with subcutaneous nodules, though rare, is well described in immunocompromized populations. It is, however, very uncommon in immunocompetent patients. We describe a case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with community-acquired. Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicaemia and subcutaneous nodules. No precipitating cause or immune dysfunction was found. She was successfully treated with appropriate antibiotics, respiratory and cardiovascular support in the Intensive Care Unit. The difficulty in eradicating the organism from the skin lesion and the need for investigating the immune function of septicaemia patients are discussed.

Dermatology in the intensive care unit

We report our experience, and review the literature, concerning 'intensive care dermatology'. Over a period of 14 months, 27 patients who had significant cutaneous problems were seen in the intensive care unit. These included primary dermatological conditions, multisystem disorders with cutaneous signs, complications of dermatological therapy, and skin conditions developing as complications of intensive care. We discuss the diagnosis and management of dermatological problems in the intensive care unit.