title: Ecthyma gangrenosum without bacteremia in a previously healthy man: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ecthyma gangrenosum is known as a characteristic lesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis and is usually seen in immunocompromised patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A previously healthy 63-year-old man was admitted with sloughy necrotic ulcerations of the skin over his sternum. He was afebrile and in good condition. A skin biopsy revealed ecthyma gangrenosum. Blood cultures remained sterile, but a culture of biopsy material grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ecthyma gangrenosum may develop even in the absence of bacteremia and even in immunocompetent patients. It should be considered as a possible diagnosis even when a previously healthy patient has negative blood cultures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Kartal Dr, Lütfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. segencer@tnn.net
authors.forename: Serap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gençer
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.forename: Aylin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ege Gül
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doğan
authors.forename: Oznur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ak