Soft Tissue Infections: Overview and Management

Image credit: basicmedicalkey.com

What are skin and soft tissue infections?

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) encompass any type of microorganism – bacterial, viral, or fungal – that enters any break in the skin and can invade the subcutaneous tissue (soft tissue under the skin), fascia (connective tissue), and muscles.

What is a skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI)?

Recognition of the potential for resistant pathogens causing SSTIs can assist in guiding appropriate selection of antibiotic therapy. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are clinical entities of variable presentation, etiology and severity that involve microbial invasion of the layers of the skin and underlying soft tissues.

Can bacteria cause skin and soft tissue infections?

Certain bacteria can cause skin and soft tissue infections and may even spread throughout your body. Our infectious disease team offers the latest treatments for skin and soft tissue infections, including cellulitis, abscesses and MRSA. Medically reviewed by Daniel Dodson, M.D. on Nov. 06, 2023.

How are soft tissue infections classified?

These infections can be classified based on three characteristics. First soft tissue infections should be classified as to whether they are purulent or nonpurulent. As shown in Figure 10-1, purulent infections include folliculitis, furunculosis, and skin abscesses and nonpurulent infections include erysipelas, cellulitis, and necrotizing fasciitis.

What are signs and symptoms of skin and soft tissue infection?

*—Signs and symptoms of infection include fever, tachycardia, diaphoresis, fatigue, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. Mental status changes and hypotension suggest worsening sepsis and hemodynamic compromise. Information from references 5 and 15. Table 3. Bacteriology and Clinical Features of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

How common are skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs)?

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a significant cause of morbidity, with an estimated 16.4 cases per 1000 people per year in the UK.

What Is Soft Tissue Infections

1. https://idcare.com/blog/skin-and-soft-tissue-infections-what-you-need-to-know/
2. https://health.ucdavis.edu/conditions/infectious-diseases/skin-and-soft-tissue-infections
3. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/skin-and-soft-tissue-infection-cellulitis-beyond-the-basics
4. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2015/0915/p474.html
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2605859/
6. https://australianprescriber.tg.org.au/articles/bacterial-skin-and-soft-tissue-infections.html
7. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1830144-overview
8. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?sectionid=240348679
9. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/infectious-diseases/soft-skin-tissue-infection-ssti

Soft Tissue Infections Information

1. https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/skin-and-soft-tissue-infections/
2. https://www.pch.health.wa.gov.au/-/media/Files/Hospitals/PCH/General-documents/Health-professionals/ChAMP-Guidelines/Skin-and-Soft-Tissue-Infections.pdf?la=en
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370762
4. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/bacterial-skin-infections/overview-of-bacterial-skin-infections
5. https://www.medicinejournal.co.uk/article/S1357-3039(21)00228-0/fulltext