title: Soft tissue infections.
abstract: Soft tissue infections are common and potentially fatal conditions. Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who have rheumatic disease. Patients who have rheumatic diseases may be at increased risk for soft tissue infections because of various factors, including inherent immunologic defects, genetics, and use of immunomodulatory therapy, including biologic agents. Timely diagnosis and management with the institution of antibiotics with or without surgical intervention is imperative for effective resolution of infection. This article provides a review of recent literature on the presentation and clinical course of infectious tenosynovitis, septic bursitis, pyomyositis, and necrotizing fasciitis, especially in relation to patients who have rheumatic disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 711, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. ktorrabl@usc.edu
authors.forename: Karina D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Torralba
authors.forename: Francisco P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Quismorio
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002062:Bursitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects; D052880:Pyomyositis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha