Cellulitis and Soft-Tissue Infections
Authors: Christine Laine
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

In the Clinic6 January 2009Cellulitis and Soft-Tissue InfectionsChristine Laine, MD, MPH, David R. Goldmann, MD, Harold C. Sox, MD, and Lawrence J. Eron, MDChristine Laine, MD, MPH, David R. Goldmann, MD, Harold C. Sox, MD, and Lawrence J. Eron, MDAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-150-1-200901060-01001 SectionsSupplemental MaterialAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail PreventionCellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues. It may follow a break in the skin or a surgical wound but may also occur without an obvious inciting event. The microorganisms most frequently involved include group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes); groups B, C, and G β-hemolytic streptococci; and Staphylococcus aureus. Over recent decades, cellulitis has challenged clinicians in several ways. First, physician visits for cellulitis and soft-tissue infections have increased from 32 to 48 visits per 1000 population from 1997 to 2005 (1). Second, necrotizing fasciitis due to group A streptococci is now endemic in the United ...References1. Hersh AL, Chambers HF, Maselli JH, et al. National trends in ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescribing for skin and soft-tissue infections. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:1585-91. [PMID: 18663172] Google Scholar2. King MD, Humphrey BJ, Wang YF, et al. Emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA 300 clone as the predominant cause of skin and soft-tissue infections. Ann Intern Med. 2006;144:309-17. [PMID: 16520471] Google Scholar3. Semel JD, Goldin H. Association of athlete's foot with cellulitis of the lower extremities: diagnostic value of bacterial cultures of ipsilateral interdigital space samples. Clin Infect Dis. 1996;23:1162-4. [PMID: 8922818] Google Scholar4. Parish LC, Jorizzo JL, Breton JJ, et al. 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Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 6 January 2009Volume 150, Issue 1Page: ITC1-1KeywordsAntibioticsAntimicrobialsCellulitisClindamycinMethicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureusPenicillinSkin infectionsStreptococcal infectionsToxicityVancomycin ePublished: 6 January 2009 Issue Published: 6 January 2009 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2009 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...