Skin Lesions with Loss of Tissue and Cutaneous-Onset Sepsis: The Skin Infection-Sepsis Relationship.

Infectious and inflammatory dermatoses featuring skin lesions with loss of tissue expose skin layers to microbial invasions, disrupt the normal skin microbiome, and potentially lead to sepsis. However, literature data on the incidence of cutaneous-onset sepsis are scarce. This retrospective observational study assessed hospital admissions for primary skin lesions without bacterial infections and sepsis during 2020-2022 in the largest emergency hospital in NE Romania. Of 509 patients, 441 had infected lesions, 78 had sepsis caused by venous ulcers from microbial eczema cellulitis, superinfected bullous dermatoses, erysipelas, and erythroderma. Cultured samples revealed S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli; and K. pneumoniae and S. ß-hemolytic associated with sepsis, even if this was rarer. Clinical manifestations included ulcerations, erosions, fissures, excoriations, bullae, vesicles, pruritus, tumefaction, edema, fever, chills, pain, adenopathy, and mildly altered mental status. Underlying chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, anemia, and type-1 diabetes mellitus were comorbidities associated with infection and sepsis. Significant associations and risk factors, including their combined effects, are discussed to draw attention to the need for further research and adequate management to prevent sepsis in adult patients of any age presenting with infected skin lesions (especially cellulitis) and comorbidities (especially type 1 diabetes mellitus and anemia).

Catching Cancer Early: The Importance of Dermato-Oncology Screening.

The European Society for Medical Oncology experts have identified the main components of the long-term management of oncological patients. These include early diagnosis through population screening and periodic control of already diagnosed patients to identify relapses, recurrences, and other associated neoplasms. There are no generally accepted international guidelines for the long-term monitoring of patients with skin neoplasms (nonmelanoma skin cancer, malignant melanoma, precancerous-high-risk skin lesions). Still, depending on the experience of the attending physician and based on the data from the literature, one can establish monitoring intervals to supervise these high-risk population groups, educate the patient and monitor the general population.