Bullous Erysipelas: Clinical Presentation, Staphylococcal Involvement and Methicillin Resistance

Is coverage of S. aureus necessary in cellulitis/erysipelas? A literature review

BACKGROUND

Empirical treatment of patients with cellulitis/erysipelas usually targets both streptococci and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). However, the recommendation to empirically cover MSSA is weak and based on low-quality evidence.

METHODS AND OBJECTIVE

A systematic review was conducted in PubMed and clinical trial registries to assess the role of S. aureus in cellulitis/erysipelas and the need for empirical MSSA coverage.

RESULTS

Combined microbiological and serological data, and response to penicillin monotherapy suggest that streptococci are responsible for the vast majority of cases of cellulitis/erysipelas. However, most cases are non-culturable and the specificity of microbiological and serological studies is questionable based on recent studies using molecular techniques. According to epidemiological data and three randomized controlled trials, empirical coverage of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is not recommended for most patients, despite the high prevalence of MRSA in many areas. If MRSA is indeed not an important cause of uncomplicated cellulitis/erysipelas, then the same may apply to MSSA. Based on indirect comparison of data from clinical studies, cure rates with penicillin monotherapy (to which most MSSA are resistant) are comparable to the cure rates reported in many studies using wider-spectrum antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

Considering the limitations of microbiological studies in identifying the pathogens responsible for cellulitis/erysipelas, treatment needs to be guided by clinical trials. Trials comparing penicillin or amoxicillin monotherapy to MSSA-covering regimens are needed to definitively answer whether empirical coverage of MSSA is needed and to identify the subset of patients that can be safely treated with penicillin or amoxicillin monotherapy.

A Fatal Case of "Bullous Erysipelas-like" Pseudomonas Vasculitis

Erysipelas is a generally benign superficial bacterial skin infection, and its bullous form constitutes a rare and more severe variant. We describe the first and fatal case of “bullous erysipelas-like” septic vasculitis due to Pseudomonas bacteremi. A 69-year-old Chinese man presenting with diarrhea and septic shock initially began to rapidly develop sharply defined erythematous plaques with non-hemorrhagic bullae over his lower limbs. Culture of the aspirate from the bullae was positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This was also consistent with his blood cultures showing Pseudomonas bacteremia. Histology of the skin lesion showed microthrombi and neutrophilic infiltrates in blood vessels with Gram-negative bacilli extruding from the vessel walls, characteristic of septic vasculitis. The bullous erysipelas-like lesions seen in this patient represents a rare manifestation of both septic vasculitis and Pseudomonas infection.

Local complications of erysipelas: a study of associated risk factors

BACKGROUND

Local complications of erysipelas include haemorrhagic, bullous, abscessing and necrotic lesions. The risk factors predisposing patients to local complications are not fully known.

AIM

To examine local complications of erysipelas and to identify possible risk factors predisposing to their appearance.

METHODS

Medical records from all patients hospitalized with complications of erysipelas (purpura, bullae, abscesses and necrosis), admitted to the University Hospital of Heraklion between 1994 and 2002, were retrospectively studied. Clinical and laboratory data were compared with those from patients with erysipelas without local complications.

RESULTS

In total, 145 patients were analysed, of whom 46 had local disease complications. Using bivariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with disease complications were found to be age ≥ 51 years, obesity, longer duration of local symptoms, and fever on admission. During hospitalization, increased C-reactive protein level, isolation of pathogens, longer duration of fever and/or presence of leucocytosis, absence of response to initial antibiotic therapy, and longer length of hospitalization were also associated with complications in the bivariate analysis. However, in the multivariate analysis, obesity (OR 4.489, 95% CI 1.719-11.725, P = 0.002) was the only independent factor associated with complicated erysipelas.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found obesity to be an independent risk factor for local complications, of erysipelas. Hence, obese patients with erysipelas are prone to complications, and should be carefully evaluated because of the potential severity of disease and the increased risk of failure of empirical antimicrobial therapy.

Staphylococcus aureus: An old pathogen with new weapons

Staphylococcus aureus has been recognized as an important human pathogen for more than 100 years. S aureus has been able to adapt and evolve in terms of its resistance traits and virulence factors; it is among the most important causes of human infections in the twenty-first century. Rapid molecular identification in the clinical microbiology laboratory of these resistance and virulence factors expressed by S aureus will play an important role in the future in decreasing the morbidity and mortality of infections. This article addresses the emerging aspects of infections caused by S aureus, including microbiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, and immunity.

Life Threatening Complication during Treatment of Erysipelas due to Undiagnosed Ischemia of the Calf

Erysipelas is a superficial skin infection due to streptococci strains, which usually responds well to conservative treatment. Coexisting undiagnosed ischemia of the extremity may lead to severe complications. 57-year-old man developed large, circumflex ulceration of his right calf within two weeks before the admission after three-month treatment of erysipelas. Computer angiography showed chronic occlusion of the superficial femoral artery and the above knee popliteal artery. Rapid debridement of the wound took control over the infection. Patient required complex vascular procedure which allowed to prepare the ulcer for meshed skin grafts. Patient was discharged home on 64th hospital day with completely healed ulcer.

[Practical consequences after MRSA identification in chronic wounds]

In the last years increasing of numbers dermatologic patients with chronic wounds and problem bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been reported. Even though it is still unclear if bacterial contamination with MRSA independently interferes with wound healing, both the logistic and therapeutic consequences of identifying MRSA are considerable for the patient and the treatment facility. In this review the practical consequences and the therapy options associated with the identification of MRSA in patients with chronic wounds are considered.

Epidemiology and Comorbidity of Erysipelas in Primary Care

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Most studies on the epidemiology of erysipelas are done in hospitals, resulting in patient selection. The aim of this study is to determine epidemiological characteristics and comorbidity of erysipelas based on primary care data.

METHODS

Incidence rate study and nested case-control study. A database containing data from 52 general practices in Flanders, Belgium, with morbidity data on 160,000 different patients in the period 1994-2004. Excess comorbidity was determined in patients with erysipelas in 2004.

RESULTS

In the period 1994-2004, the age-standardized incidence of erysipelas increased significantly from 1.88 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.62-2.13) per 1,000 patients to 2.49 (95% CI 2.24-2.74). Of patients with erysipelas, 16% had one or more recurrences. Local factors such as dermatophytosis, chronic ulcer of the skin, varicose veins of the leg and phlebitis and general disorders such as obesity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes and heart failure increased the risk of erysipelas.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of erysipelas increased from 1994 to 2004. More attention should be paid to local factors such as dermatophytosis to prevent erysipelas.

Does Erysipelas-Like Rash after Hip Replacement Exist?

BACKGROUND

Orthopaedic implants are known to rarely induce or exacerbate dermatitis in metal-allergic patients. In the late 1990s, hypersensitivity to prosthetic material has been suspected to induce recurrent aseptic localized cellulitis. Patients presented with recurrent eruption of the skin overlying the implant, associated with fever. An aseptic origin of this new syndrome was hypothesized as no evidence of microbial involvement could be found and because antibiotic treatment was apparently inefficient.

OBSERVATIONS

We observed 4 similar cases. All patients recovered after suppression of factors predisposing to erysipelas (gluteal portal of entry, anti-inflammatory drugs) and appropriate antibiotic therapy.

DISCUSSION

Our conviction is that these manifestations are authentic infectious cellulitis. Delayed thigh erysipelas after hip surgery is a distinctive form of cellulitis, characterized by its unusual topography, its rapid outcome and the possibility to be recurrent.