title: Erysipelas: a common potentially dangerous infection.
abstract: Erysipelas is an acute superficial cutaneous cellulitis that commonly occurs not only in elderly and immunocompromised persons, but also in neonates and small children subsequent to bacterial inoculation through a break in the skin barrier. Group A Beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS, Streptoccocus pyogenes) is the usual etiologic agent. Factors that predispose pediatric patients to the development of erysipelas include very young age, diabetes mellitus, an immunocompromised state, and nephrotic syndrome. Patients typically have a well-demarcated, erythematous, indurated, rapidly spreading patch with a palpable advancing border on the face or extremities. Fever with chills and general malaise may be prominent symptoms. Antibiotics are usually effective. Patients handled in a timely manner tend to recover without problems. However, potential complications include abscess formation, necrotizing fasciitis, septicemia, recurrent infection, and lymphedema.
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103-2714, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Celestin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kihiczak
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004886:Erysipelas / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents