title: Erysipelas, a large retrospective study of aetiology and clinical presentation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erysipelas is a common and severe infection where the aetiology and optimal management is not well-studied. Here, we investigate the clinical features, bacteriological aetiology, and treatment of erysipelas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Episodes of erysipelas in a seven-years period in our institution were studied retrospectively using a pre-specified protocol and is presented with descriptive and comparative statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1142 episodes of erysipelas were identified in 981 patients. Patients had a median age of 61 years, 59 % were male, a majority had underlying diseases or predisposing conditions, and the leg was most often affected. Wound cultures were taken in 343 episodes and 56 grew group A streptococci (GAS), 53 grew group G streptococci (GGS), 11 grew group C streptococci (GCS), and 153 grew Staphylococcus aureus. Blood cultures were drawn in 49 % of episodes and 50 cultures were positive with GGS as the most common finding (21 cultures) followed by GAS in 13, group B streptococci in 5, S. aureus in 4, and GCS in 3 cultures. In 45 % of episodes, patients received antibiotics with activity against S. aureus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GGS is the most common streptococcus isolated in erysipelas and the role of S. aureus in erysipelas remains elusive.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. annablackberg@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bläckberg
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. kristina.trell@med.lu.se.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trell
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. magnus.rasmussen@med.lu.se.
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004886:Erysipelas / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents