title: Microbiology of adult cellulitis.
abstract: Needle aspiration of cellulitis sites is commonly advocated to assist in the identification of causative organisms. Twenty-five nondiabetic, adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of cellulitis had site aspirations and blood cultures obtained before antibiotic therapy was initiated. Site cultures were positive in 6 of 25 patients. Blood cultures were positive in 4 of 25 patients. All organisms except one (Enterobacter agglomerans) were staphylococci or streptococci. The gram-negative bacilli were not believed to be a pathogen based on the patient's prompt response to nafcillin. In adult patients who do not have complications, the use of needle aspiration was not supported. Empiric treatment of cellulitis aimed at gram-positive cocci appears to be sufficient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Ohio 45267-0740.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lutomski
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Trott
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Runyon
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Miyagawa
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Staneck
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Rivera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002512:Cephalothin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008712:Methicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D008712:Methicillin; D002512:Cephalothin