title: Severe monobacterial necrotizing soft tissue infection by group A Streptococcus: A surgical emergency.
abstract: Eight percent of necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) are attributable to group A Streptococci (GAS), and among these, 50% develop streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The reported mortality associated with NSTI reaches 32%. We present cases of two healthy individuals with minor GAS skin infection which developed to a rapidly progressed NSTI and sepsis despite of the antibiotic treatment, aiming to discuss the lessons learned from the course and management of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Second Surgical Department and Unit of Surgical Oncology "Korgialenio-Benakio", Red Cross Athens General Hospital, Greece 11526.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lanitis
authors.forename: M A A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sgourakis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kontovounisios
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Papaconstandinou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karaliotas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001132:Arm / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing; D005528:Foot / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections; D013290:Streptococcal Infections; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Fulminant skin necrosis; Group A Streptococci; Necrotizing soft tissue infection