Necrotizing fasciitis in a pediatric patient caused by lancefield group g streptococcus: case report and brief review of the literature

Group A Streptococcal Rapid Antigen Detection Test: A Clinical Study to Evaluate the Reproducibility Using Human Wound Samples

BACKGROUND

The early diagnosis of necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) for performing debridement surgery is key to the patient survival. In 1996, the diversional use of a GAS-rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for pharyngitis was reported, quickly spreading as a clinically useful method. However, no clinical study has evaluated the reliability of RADT by using wound samples. This is the first study using clinical wound samples to examine the reproducibility between GAS-RADT and wound culture.

METHODS

Patients in whom wound culture samples were clinically necessary were included in this study. Two samples were obtained simultaneously: one for isolation of bacteria as wound culture and the other for GAS-RADT, with written informed consent. The reproducibility between GAS-RADT and wound culture was statistically evaluated by Cohen's kappa coefficient.

RESULTS

One hundred samples from 94 patients were collected from 2020 to 2021. Two samples were GAS-positive on wound culture, and both were RADT-positive (positive reproducibility: 100%). Ninety-eight samples were GAS-negative on wound culture; of these, 97 were RADT-negative (negative reproducibility: 99%). Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.80, indicating excellent agreement beyond chance. None of the bacteria showed cross-reactional influences. The only discrepant case (RADT-positive and wound culture-negative) was attributed to the administration of antibiotics for 2 days before the sampling.

CONCLUSIONS

The reproducibility between GAS-RADT and wound culture was statistically excellent, underscoring the reliability of GAS-RADT for wounds.

Group G Streptococcal Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection: A Pitfall of Rapid Antigen Detection Test for Group A

Background

Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a life-threatening disease with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, group G Streptococcus (GGS) is increasingly reported as a cause of NSTI, which shows a similar fatality rate. A rapid antigen detection test (RADT) was used for GAS-induced NSTI to assist in the immediate diagnosis when judging the need for debridement surgery.

Methods

We describe 2 NSTI cases in which an RADT for GAS was negative, and in which GGS-induced NSTI was subsequently diagnosed. Both cases involved patients over 80 years of age whose medical histories included multiple conditions, including cardiac disorder and lower leg disease. After making a 1-cm skin incision at the central part of erythema, samples for both a wound culture and an RADT for GAS were taken from the subcutaneous layer.

Results

The RADTs were negative; however, the rapidly progressing clinical courses suggested the need for immediate debridement surgeries under general anesthesia. Removal of the skin and subcutaneous tissue and an incision for drainage achieved limb salvage. Wound cultures identified Group G Streptococcus (Streptococcus dysgalactiae) without other bacteria. Negative pressure wound therapy and split-layer mesh skin graft surgery cured the severe wounds without the need for amputation.

Conclusions

Surgeons must be aware of the limitations of the RADT for GAS and determine the appropriate initial treatment based on comprehensive physical and laboratory findings.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the neck and head complicated with chronic osteomyelitis: Case report presentation

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Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck in children is very rare.

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Proper early diagnosis and adequate antibiotic therapy played an important role.

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Early aggressive surgical treatment is crucial for an adequate outcome.

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The vacuum-assisted closure and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are very useful to accelerate wound healing.

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A multidisciplinary management is fundamental to increase treatment success.

Introduction

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe infectious condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality and characteristically has a higher incidence in adults; pediatric cases are very rare. In this case report we describe, the clinical presentation, management and outcome of a patient with necrotizing fasciitis of the neck and head complicated with chronic osteomyelitis.

Presentation of the case

An 18 month-old, latin, male, diagnosed with rickets and Crouzon syndrome, twenty-four hours post- craniofacial remodeling surgery presented tissue edema, indurated skin and violaceous and well delimited lesions in the neck and head. The patient developed septic shock, acute osteomyelitis and infection of the cranial grafts. Multiple surgical lavages, debridation of the necrotic tissue and resection of the affected bone, in combination with multiple antibiotics, laboratory test methods, VAC therapy and hyperbaric oxygen were required for successful treatment and full recovery of the patient.

Discussion

Although early antibiotic therapy and critical care are basic for the treatment of patients with NF, early aggressive surgical treatment is crucial for an adequate outcome. Adjuvant treatment for NF such as the Vacuum-assisted closure and the hyperbaric oxygen therapy are very useful to accelerate wound healing. Moreover, special laboratory test methods such as the checkerboard can be used to determine the adequate antimicrobial combination of drugs in the case of multi resistant organisms.

Conclusions

Early diagnosis, adequate antibiotic therapy and aggressive surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue combined with VAC and hyperbaric oxygen therapy played an important role in the successful treatment of NF.

Necrotizing fasciitis associated with primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. A case report

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive and life-threatening infection of the deeper skin layers and subcutaneous tissues that moves along the facial planes.

OBJECTIVES

We present the rare case of a patient with necrotizing fasciitis associated with high malignancy b-cell lymphoma. Our purpose is to investigate the probable connection between the two pathologies and evaluate the importance of early surgical intervention.

CASE REPORT

51-year old Caucasian woman presented at the E.R. with history of a painful left thigh over a week and fever up to 38,4°C over the last three days. Necrosis of the soft tissues and fascial planes were observed clinically. After the initial treatment and due to the patient's multiple organ dysfunction (septic shock), she was transferred to the ICU were she was intubated resuscitated with IV fluids and given IV antibiotics. 24 hours after the admission it was decided that the patient should undergo surgery and an extensive debridement of the necrotic area was performed. The antibiogram of the blood culture revealed streptococcus pyogenes and she was administered penicillin while intubated and monitored in the ICU until the seventh postoperative day. On the eighth post-day she was transferred back to the surgical department, hemodynamically normal and stable. She was discharged one month later and she was referred to a plastic surgery center for the final reconstruction surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights that the high index of suspicion and the early aggressive surgical intervention seems to be very critical to improve survival of the patients with necrotizing fasciitis.

Invasive group G streptococcal infection in a paediatric patient

We present a paediatric case of group G streptococcal bacteraemia and vertebral osteomyelitis. The patient is a 14-year-old girl with Gaucher disease type 1 who presented with severe thoracolumbar pain. She was treated with a 4-week course of antibiotics for presumed osteomyelitis with clinical improvement.

Severe soft tissue infection masquerading as necrotising fasciitis in a 31-year-old woman with a background of right thigh arteriovenous malformation

A 31-year-old woman with a history of a right thigh arteriovenous malformation presented with an acute history of right thigh pain and swelling. This rapidly progressed to gross sepsis. She was intubated, requiring inotropic support and renal replacement therapy. She was considered disproportionately unwell, with the impression one of necrotising fasciitis (NF). She was taken to theatre for emergency exploration and debridement. There was no evidence of NF to note in theatre. Tissue samples cultured group C Streptococcus, with histopathological examination confirming group C Streptococcal soft tissue infection. Thereafter, she was treated with high-dose intravenous antibiotics, use of a negative pressure wound therapy system, and multiple returns to theatre for repeat debridement. Her condition gradually improved, and she was stepped down to a surgical ward 3 weeks after admission. Nine weeks after initial presentation, she underwent skin grafting for wound closure. She returned to work 7 months later.