Ecthyma Gangrenosum Caused by Escherichia coli in a Previously Healthy Girl

An Infant with Measles Developed Ecthyma Gangrenosum Caused by Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus: A Rare Case Report from Somalia

Introduction and Importance

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a skin lesion that can be caused by either bacterial hematogenous seeding or a primary skin infection. Despite being the most frequent causal agent, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is not the only bacteria that has been involved. Other types of bacteria may also be implicated in the etiology of EG: cocci bacteria, both gram-positive and gram-negative.

Case Presentation

Here, we report the case of a 10-month-old male infant who developed ecthyma gangrenosum after a measles infection. At the time of admission, the patient had a high fever of about 40.3°C and appeared conscious. Physical examination revealed several skin lesions that were in various stages of development and appeared as nodules with a central crust and round, ulcerated, necrotic papules in the face, chest, and upper extremities. Laboratory tests showed CRP of 25 mg/l, LDH of 579 U/L, WBC of 15.06 × 1000/mm3, and absolute neutrophils of 1930/mm3 (12.8%). The result of the culture showed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. According to the drug susceptibility test results, intravenous Vancomycin (20 mg/kg per dose, 3 times daily) should be started. A coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was eliminated as a result of this defervescence. The necrotic lesion was surgically removed from the patient.

Clinical Discussion

Ecthyma gangrenosum is the all-over-the-body cutaneous manifestation of pseudomonas infection in sepsis patients. Patients who suffer from severe illnesses. Immune deficiencies commonly increase the chance of acquiring EG. Our patient had a history of measles, which led to neutropenia before developing EG. The management of ecthyma gangrenosum requires early identification and antimicrobial treatment.

Conclusion

We describe a measles patient who developed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus ecthyma gangrenosum and had good results from both surgical debridement and systemic antibiotics. Our case serves as an example of the uncommon presentation of ecthyma gangrenosum. This example emphasizes the value of an early diagnosis and vigorous antimicrobial therapy in cases where ecthyma gangrenosum is clinically suspected.

Ecthyma Gangrenosum Secondary to Pseudomonal Sepsis Complicated by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Following Craniotomy for Resection of a Metastasis

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a rare physical exam finding pathognomonic for severe bacteremia and typically associated with pseudomonal sepsis. The characteristic skin lesions appear as ring-shaped hemorrhagic pustules that evolve into necrotic ulcers. In the present case, a 62-year-old woman with a pulmonary adenocarcinoma treated with surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy developed three symptomatic brain masses. The lesions were presumed metastatic and initially treated with stereotactic radiosurgery; however, follow-up imaging identified treatment failure of a cerebellar lesion, and the patient was subsequently taken to surgery on an elective basis for suboccipital craniotomy and tumor resection. Although her initial postoperative course was unremarkable, on postoperative day two, she experienced a rapidly progressive neurologic and hemodynamic decline. During this period, numerous ring-shaped, necrotic cutaneous lesions rapidly appeared, consistent with ecthyma gangrenosum. In spite of multi-modality critical care treatment and resuscitation, including milrinone, multiple vasopressors, anti-pseudomonal antibiotics, and prone positioning, the patient progressed to cardiorespiratory failure and died.

[Multiple well demarcated skin erosions and ulcers following exanthematous drug eruption after sultamicillin therapy]

This article presents the case of a patient with newly developed skin erosions and ulcerations following an exanthematous drug eruption due to sultamicillin therapy. The skin lesions were treated topically with clobetasol and prednicarbate and orally with methylprednisolone. A skin smear revealed massive growth of Escherichia coli bacteria. Blood cultures were negative. The cause for developing ecthyma gangrenosum in our patient were iatrogenic immunosuppression and transient bacteremia.

Hairy cell leukemia presenting with Ecthyma Gangrenosum- a case report

Background

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a cutaneous infectious usually associated with P. aeruginosa. It usually develops In patients with an underlying immunodeficiency.

Case presentation

A 50-year old mentally disabled white male with a history of epilepsy presented with fever and a painless red macule on his right arm which rapidly progressed to a painful ulcer. Blood and lesion cultures revealed P.aeruginosa, confirming our clinical diagnosis of ecthyma gangrenosum. Subsequently an underlying immune deficit was found, namely patient was diagnosed with hairy-cell leukemia. Despite adequate antibiotics no infection control could be achieved. After treating the underlying immune deficit as well, the infection and hairy-cell leukemia resolved completely.

Conclusion

Ecthyma gangrenosum is an important cutaneous infection to recognize, because it is it is typically associated with P.aeruginosa bacteremia. Recognizing this skin leasion should prompt empiric antimicrobial therapy including an agent with antipseudomonal activity. Furthermore, just like in our case, the presence of ecthyma gangrenosum can signal the presence of an occult immune deficit, warranting further investigation.

Non-pseudomonal ecthyma gangrenosum caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a chronic alcoholic patient

We report for the first time a case of non-pseudomonal ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a chronic alcoholic without an associated immunocompromised state or disease. EG is an infection of the skin, commonly associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemia, though other organisms are also known to be causally related. It usually occurs in patients who are terminally ill and the immunocompromised. In our case, chronic alcoholism with suppression of innate immunity may have led to the development of the condition.

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.