1/4. life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis of the neck: an unusual consequence of a sore throat.BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis is life-threatening bacterial infection which spreads with frightening speed along the fascial planes resulting in extensive tissue necrosis and often death. The infection is caused by either Group A streptococci or a combination of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Necrotizing fasciitis of the neck is rare and commonly has a dental origin. CASE REPORT: Here we present a unique case of the condition that was preceded by a sore throat in a young immunocompetent woman. We also describe, for the first time, a successful outcome involving primary skin closure and daily irrigation of the wound with hydrogen peroxide.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = bacterial infection (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. 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.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = bacterial infection (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Three rare cases of anthrax arising from the same source.anthrax is an acute bacterial infection caused by bacillus anthracis. humans become infected under natural conditions by contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. About 95% of human anthrax is cutaneous and 5% respiratory. Gastrointestinal anthrax is very rare, and has been reported in less than 1% of all cases. anthrax meningitis is a rare complication of any of the other three forms of disease. We report three rare cases of anthrax (gastrointestinal, oropharyngeal and meningitis) arising from the same source. The three patients were from a single family and were admitted with different clinical pictures after the ingestion of half-cooked meat from a sick sheep. These cases emphasize the need for awareness of anthrax in the differential diagnosis in areas where the disease remains endemic.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = bacterial infection (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Severe autoimmune protein s deficiency in a boy with idiopathic purpura fulminans.Idiopathic purpura fulminans usually occurs in young children and is frequently preceded by a preparatory viral or bacterial infection. Following a severe streptococcal pharyngitis, an 8-year-old boy developed purpura fulminans with disseminated intravascular coagulation and severe protein s deficiency (total antigen < 0.05 u/ml). Despite generous plasma infusions, skin necrosis progressed rapidly into compartment syndrome which required fasciotomy and skin grafting and resulted in the loss of three digits of the right foot. Total protein S remained low for over a month despite plasma supplementation and complete normalization of protein c levels. A polyclonal anti-protein S IgG was demonstrated in the patient's plasma, which decreased to 25% of baseline titre after 1 month and was undetectable 6 months after purpura fulminans, when plasma protein S had returned to normal. Transient, isolated and severe deficiencies of protein S have been reported in patients with idiopathic purpura fulminans and a previous preparatory infection. Autoimmune protein s deficiency may play a key role in the aetiopathogenesis of idiopathic purpura fulminans.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = bacterial infection (Clic here for more details about this article) |