title: Life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis.
abstract: Necrotizing fasciitis is characterized by a rapidly progressing necrosis of subcutaneous fat and fascia, which can be life-threatening without prompt recognition, surgical intervention, and immediate antibiotic therapy. Necrotizing fasciitis has been subdivided into type 1, or polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis, and type 2, or group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis. In addition, synonyms, such as streptococcal gangrene and "flesh-eating bacteria syndrome," have been used in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
authors.forename: Erika Gaines
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Manders
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index