Biomaterial Database

Staphylococcal and streptococcal infections of the skin. 1979

W A Causey

Acute pyogenic infections of the skin, caused by hemolytic streptococci and S. aureus, account for the vast majority of bacterial infections of the skin seen in ambulatory practice. In preschool children the principal manifestation is pyoderma, which is usually caused by Group A Streptococcus. In this age group pyoderma regularly responds to systemic penicillin therapy plus adjunctive local care to the lesions. However, in older age groups, the ability to distinguish streptococcal from staphylococcal skin infections on the basis of clinical features alone is poor, and penicillin treatment failures are more common. Safe, effective antibiotics that are effective against both staphylococci and streptococci are readily available. For this reason penicillinase-resistant semisynthtic penicillins and or erythromycin can be used to treat acute pyogenic skin infections in older age groups.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007169	Impetigo	A common superficial bacterial infection caused by STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS or group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Characteristics include pustular lesions that rupture and discharge a thin, amber-colored fluid that dries and forms a crust. This condition is commonly located on the face, especially about the mouth and nose.	Impetigo Contagiosa,Contagiosa, Impetigo,Contagiosas, Impetigo,Impetigo Contagiosas,Impetigos
D008297	Male		Males
D002270	Carbuncle	An infection of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue that consists of a cluster of boils. Commonly, the causative agent is STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. Carbuncles produce fever, leukocytosis, extreme pain, and prostration.	Carbuncles
D002481	Cellulitis	An acute, diffuse, and suppurative inflammation of loose connective tissue, particularly the deep subcutaneous tissues, and sometimes muscle, which is most commonly seen as a result of infection of a wound, ulcer, or other skin lesions.	Phlegmon
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D004886	Erysipelas	An acute infection of the skin caused by species of STREPTOCOCCUS. This disease most frequently affects infants, young children, and the elderly. Characteristics include pink-to-red lesions that spread rapidly and are warm to the touch. The commonest site of involvement is the face.
D005260	Female		Females
D005499	Folliculitis	Inflammation of follicles, primarily hair follicles.	Sycosis,Folliculitides,Sycoses
D005667	Furunculosis	A persistent skin infection marked by the presence of furuncles, often chronic and recurrent. In humans, the causative agent is various species of STAPHYLOCOCCUS. In salmonid fish (SALMONIDS), the pathogen is AEROMONAS SALMONICIDA.	Boils,Furuncles
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man