Erysipelas after surgery for breast cancer: a real-world cohort

Erysipelas is often related to lymphedema, which can occur in up to 60% of cases, with advanced age, radiotherapy, tumor extension, surgical approach, and infections as risk factors. The aim of this study was to present and discuss a series of cases of erysipelas after breast cancer surgery treated in a private mastology clinic over the past ten years. This is a retrospective horizontal cohort study in which we selected all cases of erysipelas after breast cancer surgery from 2009 to 2019. The following were evaluated: number of patients treated with a diagnosis of breast carcinoma with axillary approach, age, surgery performed, adjuvant treatment and treatment of erysipelas, presence of lymphedema, and measurement of circumferences between both arms and associated diseases. A total of 12 cases of breast cancer were treated. In 66.66% of cases, a radical axillary lymphadenectomy was performed, and in 16.66% of cases, only a sentinel lymph node investigation was performed. The average age was 67.6 years. Erysipelas appeared, on average, 43 months after cancer diagnosis. Two deaths were reported due to severe erysipelas leading to sepsis. More studies are still needed on the subject. Of the 12 cases in this study, eight (66.66%) were associated with lymphedema. Only two (16.66%) of the patients in this group who developed erysipelas were not submitted to axillary dissection. The treatment for 50% of the participants in this research was with penicillin G benzathine. There were three relapses, and two patients died during the research period

High-frequency ultrasonography-assisted evaluation of treatment outcomes of erysipelas: a prospective controlled study / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To measure the skin thickness in patients with erysipelas by high-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG), and to compare the clinical efficacy of systemic antibiotics alone versus their combination with glucocorticoids in the treatment of erysipelas.Methods:Hospitalized patients with erysipelas were enrolled from Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University from January to December in 2021, and randomly divided into the study group and control group according to the order of visits. The study group was treated with systemic cefathiamidine for 7 days followed by oral methylprednisolone at a dose of 0.4 mg·kg -1·d -1, while the control group was treated with cefathiamidine alone. Before and after the treatment for 10 days, the thicknesses of the epidermis-dermis layers and subcutaneous tissues were measured by HF-USG at the sites of the most severe skin lesions on the affected limbs and at the corresponding sites on the healthy limbs, and white blood cell (WBC) counts, neutrophil (NEU) counts, as well as C-reaction protein (CRP) levels were determined. The t test and non-parametric test were used to compare the efficacy between two groups. Results:A total of 23 patients with erysipelas were enrolled. Among the 12 patients in the study group, 8 were males and 4 were females, and their age was 71.4 ± 11.4 years. Among the 11 patients in the control group, 7 were males and 4 were females, and their age was 67.4 ± 11.1 years. Before treatment, the thicknesses of the epidermis-dermis layers (0.33 ± 0.12 cm) and subcutaneous tissues (1.08 ± 0.49 cm) in the study group were not significantly different from those in the control group (0.25 ± 0.09 cm, 0.98 ± 0.46 cm; t = -1.83, -0.49, P = 0.081, 0.626, respectively). After the 10-day treatment, the thicknesses of the epidermis-dermis layers and subcutaneous tissues of the skin lesions on the affected limbs significantly decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.05), and the decrease in the thicknesses of subcutaneous tissues was significantly stronger in the study group (0.32 ± 0.33 cm) than in the control group (0.10 ± 0.07 cm; t = 2.20, P = 0.039). Before treatment, the WBC counts ([11.16 ± 4.42] × 10 9/L), NEU counts ([8.26 ± 4.16] × 10 9/L) and CRP levels (median [ Q1, Q3]: 72.20 [19.28, 140.50] mg/L) in the study group were not significantly different from those in the control group ([10.10 ± 4.53] × 10 9/L, [7.21 ± 3.00] × 10 9/L, 34.40 [8.00, 74.20] mg/L, respectively; t or Z = 0.60, 0.71, -0.85, P = 0.578, 0.496, 0.196, respectively). After the 10-day treatment, the WBC counts, NEU counts, and CRP levels significantly decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05) . Conclusion:The combined treatment with systemic antibiotics and glucocorticoids could effectively alleviate skin inflammation, and more rapidly reduce the thicknesses of inflamed subcutaneous tissues in patients with erysipelas compared with systemic antibiotics alone.

Factors related to deep vein thrombosis in patients with cellulitis/erysipelas at two high-complexity facilities. A case-control study

Lower extremity venous thromboembolism in the presence of soft tissue infection (cellulitis/erysipelas) is difficult to diagnose using clinical findings alone. This leads to an overuse of Doppler ultrasound, which is unnecessary in many cases. In Colombia, there are no studies to date reporting the simultaneous prevalence of these two conditions. Objective: to determine which factors are related to deep vein thrombosis in patients with lower extremity cellulitis/erysipelas. Materials and methods: a case-control study. Patients seen at Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe and the university hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 who were diagnosed with cellulitis/erysipelas and underwent lower extremity venous Doppler. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and imaging variables were considered. Results: altogether, 637 patients with a diagnosis of lower extremity cellulitis and erysipelas were found during the study period in both institutions. Of these, 18.5% (118 patients) had a lower extremity Doppler ultrasound ordered to rule out deep vein thrombosis, finding a total of 25 positive studies (21.19%). Out of the total sample, 56 (47.4%) were male, with a mean age of 65 years. Most of the cases (55.08%) had an intermediate risk according to the Wells scale. The most common patient factors related to thrombosis were: immobility 33%, lymphedema 29.66%, and chronic kidney disease 23.73%. Neoplasms were the factor which showed statistical significance for the presence of thrombosis OR 5 (1.64-15.16) (P=0.0056). Conclusions: cellulitis is not a unique finding to justify carrying out a Doppler test, and the routine use of this imaging technique in the diagnostic approach is not justified if there are no other risk factors for thrombosis. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2109).

El diagnóstico de enfermedad tromboembólica venosa de miembros inferiores en presencia de infección de tejidos blandos (celulitis/erisipela): es difícil de determinar con sólo los hallazgos clínicos, lo que lleva a un sobreuso de la ecografía Doppler que resulta innecesaria en muchos casos. En Colombia a la fecha no hay estudios que reporten la prevalencia simultánea de éstas dos condiciones. Objetivo: determinar cuáles son los factores que se relacionan con trombosis venosa profunda (TVP) en pacientes con celulitis/erisipela en miembros inferiores. Materiales y métodos: estudio de casos y controles. Pacientes atendidos en el Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe y la IPS universitaria entre enero de 2018 y diciembre de 2019 con diagnóstico de celulitis/erisipela y a quienes se les realizó Doppler venoso de miembros inferiores. Se consideraron variables demográficas, clínicas, paraclínicas e imagenológicas. Resultados: en total se identificaron 637 pacientes con diagnóstico de celulitis y erisipela de miembros inferiores en el periodo de estudio en ambas instituciones. De estos en 18.5% (118 pacientes) se solicitó ecografía Doppler de miembros inferiores para descartar trombosis venosa profunda, encontrando un total de 25 estudios positivos (21.19%). Del total de esta muestra fueron 56 hombres (47.4%) con una media de edad de 65 años. La mayoría de casos (55.08%), tuvieron riesgo intermedio según la escala de Wells. Los antecedentes más frecuentes relacionados con trombosis fueron: inmovilización 33%, linfedema 29.66%, enfermedad renal crónica 23.73%. La presencia de neoplasia fue el antecedente que demostró significancia estadística para la presencia de trombosis OR 5 (1.64-15.16) (P=0.0056). Conclusiones: la presencia de celulitis no es un hallazgo único que justifique la realización de Doppler, y el uso de imagen de rutina dentro del abordaje diagnóstico no está justificado si no existen otros factores de riesgo de trombosis. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2109).

Potenciais fatores associados a maior chance de recidiva de erisipela / Posibles factores asociados a mayor probabilidad de recidiva de erisipela / Potential factors associated with increased chance of erysipelas recurrence

Resumo Objetivo Analisar os fatores relacionados à recidiva de erisipela em adultos e idosos. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com 235 adultos e idosos admitidos em um hospital com diagnóstico de erisipela entre 2012 e 2019. Investigaram-se fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos relacionados a maior chance de recidiva de erisipela no período por meio de análises uni e bivariada, com p<0,05 considerado significativo. Resultados A prevalência de recidiva de erisipela foi de 25,5% (n=60). Os fatores significativamente associados à recidiva foram insuficiência venosa (p= 0,002; OR= 2,597; IC= 1,4-4,7) e uso de penicilina (p< 0,000; OR= 7,042; IC= 2,5-19,7). Conclusão a insuficiência venosa se associa a chance duas vezes maior de recidiva de erisipela e o uso de penicilina se associa a risco sete vezes maior para sua recidiva.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar los factores relacionados con la recidiva de erisipela en adultos y adultos mayores. Métodos Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con 235 adultos y adultos mayores ingresados en un hospital con diagnóstico de erisipela entre 2012 y 2019. Se investigaron factores sociodemográficos y clínicos relacionados con una mayor probabilidad de recidiva de erisipela en el período mediante análisis uni y bivariados, con p<0,05 considerado significativo. Resultados La prevalencia de recidiva de erisipela fue del 25,5 % (n=60). Los factores significativamente asociados con la recidiva fueron insuficiencia venosa (p= 0,002; OR= 2,597; IC= 1,4-4,7) y uso de penicilina (p< 0,000; OR= 7,042; IC= 2,5-19,7). Conclusión La insuficiencia venosa está relacionada con una probabilidad dos veces mayor de recidiva de erisipela, y el uso de penicilina está relacionado con un riesgo siete veces mayor de recidiva.

Abstract Objective To analyze factors related to erysipelas recurrence in adults and older adults. Methods Retrospective cohort study with 235 adults and older adults admitted to a hospital diagnosed with erysipelas between 2012 and 2019. Sociodemographic and clinical factors related to a greater chance of erysipelas recurrence in the period were investigated through uni and bivariate analyses, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results The prevalence of erysipelas recurrence was 25.5% (n=60). Factors significantly associated with recurrence were venous insufficiency (p= 0.002; OR= 2.597; 95%CI= 1.4-4.7) and use of penicillin (p< 0.000; OR= 7.042; 95%CI= 2.5-19.7). Conclusion venous insufficiency is associated with a twice greater chance of erysipelas recurrence and the use of penicillin is associated with a seven times greater risk for its recurrence.

Enfrentamiento de las infecciones de piel en el adulto / Managing adult skin infections

En la actualidad, las infecciones de piel y partes blandas forman parte de un alto porcentaje de las consultas en salud. Estas van desde infecciones leves, donde el manejo se realiza con tratamiento tópico, hasta aquellas con severo compromiso sistémico, requiriendo terapia antibiótica sistémica e incluso el desbridaje quirúrgico. En general, son producto de un desbalance entre los mecanismos de defensa de la barrera cutánea y los factores de virulencia y patogenicidad de los microorganismos que la afectan. Se pueden clasificar según distintos criterios, como por ejemplo, profundidad, gravedad, microorganismos involucrados y si estas son purulentas o no. El reconocer estas entidades clínicas es de suma importancia para llevar a cabo un adecuado tratamiento en los pacientes que presentan estas afecciones, ya que los diagnósticos erróneos llevan a las múltiples consultas con el consiguiente aumento de costos asociados en atención en salud.

Currently, skin and soft tissue infections are part of a high percentage of health consultations. These range from mild infections, where management is performed with topical treatment, to those with severe systemic compromise requiring systemic antibiotic therapy and even surgical debridement. In general, they are the product of an imbalance between the defense mechanisms of the skin barrier and the virulence and pathogenicity factors of the microorganisms that affect it, which can vary from bacterial, viral, fungal and parasites agents. Skin and soft tissue infections can be classified according to different criteria, such as depth, severity, microorganisms involved and whether they are purulent or not. Recognizing these clinical entities is of utmost importance to carry out adequate treatment in patients with these conditions, since erroneous diagnoses lead to multiple consultations with the consequent increase in costs associated with health care

Erisipela em mulheres com câncer de mama seguidas em um serviço de reabilitação / Erysipelas in women with breast cancer followed in a rehabilitation service

Estudo transversal que buscou analisar a ocorrência de erisipela em mulheres com câncer de mama. Foi desenvolvido em um núcleo de reabilitação e incluídas, por conveniência, 84 mulheres com câncer de mama. Observou-se que 19% das participantes apresentaram sinais e sintomas de erisipela. Os sinais mais prevalentes foram hiperemia da pele, calor local e dor (100%). Além disso, observou-se que 75% das participantes com erisipela também apresentavam linfedema (p<0,005). Entre as mulheres com linfedema e erisipela, observou-se que 83,3% apresentavam o linfedema previamente ao primeiro episódio de erisipela. A prevalência de erisipela entre mulheres com câncer de mama em reabilitação, apontou que dentre os fatores predisponentes desta patologia houve associação com a presença de linfedema. Dados que justificam a inclusão de medidas de prevenção do linfedema, como hidratação do membro superior homolateral à cirurgia e evitar traumas nos cuidados prestados às mulheres com câncer de mama, prevenindo também a erisipela.

A cross-sectional study that analyzed the occurence of erysipelas in women with breast cancer. It was conducted in a rehabilitation center, and 84 women with breast cancer were included by convenience. It was observed that 19% of women had signs and symptoms of erysipelas. The most prevalent signs were skin hyperemia, local heat, and pain (100%). Moreover, 75% of participants with erysipelas also had lymphedema (p<0.005). Among women with lymphedema and erysipelas, 83.8% had the lymphedema before erysipelas. The prevalence of erysipelas among women with breast cancer in rehabilitation pointed that within the predisposing factors of this pathology, there was an association with the presence of lymphedema. This data justify the inclusion of prevention measures for lymphedema, such as hydration of the superior limb homolateral to the surgery and to avoid trauma in the care provided to women with breast cancer, also preventing erysipelas.

Infecciones de piel y partes blandas

RESUMEN Introducción: las infecciones de piel y partes blandas (IPPB) son motivo de consulta frecuente y el espectro clínico va desde procesos banales hasta letales. En los últimos años, el Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente ha sido el principal agente causal. Objetivos: determinar las características clínicas y microbiológicas de IPPB provenientes de la comunidad, aplicar regla de Shapiro para calcular la rentabilidad de los cultivos. Metodología: diseño observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo, que incluyó a 181 pacientes adultos internados en el Servicio de Clínica Médica del Hospital Nacional (Itauguá, Paraguay) durante 2015 y 2016. Resultados: la edad media fue 56 años, hubo predominio de sexo masculino (57%). La IPPB más frecuentemente diagnosticada fue la celulitis: 106 pacientes (59%), seguido por fascitis necrotizante 61 (34%). La comorbilidad más frecuente fue la diabetes mellitus tipo 2. El Staphylococcus aureus fue el germen más frecuentemente aislado. Relacionando a los pacientes según el resultado de hemocultivo y la regla de Shapiro, los pacientes que tuvieron puntajes mayores a 5 tuvieron mayor reporte de hemocultivos positivos. Presentaron sepsis 85 pacientes, requirieron intervención quirúrgica 44% y fallecieron 5 sujetos. Conclusiones: la celulitis fue la IPPB más frecuente, la mayoría causada por Staphylococcus aureus. La diabetes mellitus fue la comorbilidad más frecuente. La aplicación de la regla de Shapiro para la selección de pacientes a quienes realizar hemocultivos mejoraría su rentabilidad.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Skin and soft tissues infections (SSTI) are common reasons for consulting and the clinical spectrum ranges from trivial to lethal processes. In the last years, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus has been the main causative agent. Objectives: To determine the clinical and microbiological characteristics of SSTI from the community and apply Shapiro rule to calculate the profitability of cultures. Methodology: Observational descriptive and prospective design that included 181 adult patients admitted in the Clinical Service of the National Hospital (Itauguá, Paraguay) during 2015 and 2016. Results: Mean age was 56 years and there was a predominance of male sex (57%). The most frequently diagnosed SSTI was cellulitis: 106 (59%) patients followed by 61 (34%) patients with necrotizing fasciitis. The most frequent comorbidity was type 2 diabetes mellitus. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated bacteria. Relating patients according to the blood culture results and Shapiro rule, the patients who scored higher than 5 had more reports of positive blood cultures. Eighty five patients presented sepsis, 44% required surgical intervention and 5 died. Conclusions: Cellulitis was the most frequent SSTI and most infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Diabetes mellitus was the most frquent comorbidity. The application of Shapiro rule for the selection of patients who should have blood cultures will improve their profitability.

Evaluation of safety and immunogenicity of a new octavalent inactivated vaccine containing porcine parvovirus, erysipelas, and leptospira

Porcine parvovirus, Erysipelothrix (E.) rhusiopathiae, and Leptospira (L.) interrogans are considered major etiologic agents of reproductive failure in pigs, causing economic loss in the swine industry. In this study, the safety and immunogenicity of a new octavalent inactivated vaccine were evaluated. The vaccine contained inactivated porcine parvovirus, E. rhusiopathiae, and six L. interrogans serovars (Bratislava, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pomona). Safety test results showed no notable side effects or clinical signs after vaccination in mice, guinea pigs, and sows. In addition, we assessed immunogenicity of the vaccine in 25 sows under field conditions. The vaccinated group (n = 20) had a significantly higher antibody level than the non-vaccinated group (n = 5). Moreover, the stillbirth rate decreased in piglets born from vaccinated sows, resulting in an increased fertility rate. The results of this study demonstrate that the new octavalent inactivated vaccine can be applied safely and effectively to improve reproductive performance in sows.

Clinical Guidelines for the Antibiotic Treatment for Community-Acquired Skin and Soft Tissue Infection

Skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) is common and important infectious disease. This work represents an update to 2012 Korean guideline for SSTI. The present guideline was developed by the adaptation method. This clinical guideline provides recommendations for the diagnosis and management of SSTI, including impetigo/ecthyma, purulent skin and soft tissue infection, erysipelas and cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, pyomyositis, clostridial myonecrosis, and human/animal bite. This guideline targets community-acquired skin and soft tissue infection occurring among adult patients aged 16 years and older. Diabetic foot infection, surgery-related infection, and infections in immunocompromised patients were not included in this guideline.

Assistência de enfermagem a um paciente com integridade da pele prejudicada relacionada à erisipela: relato de experiência / Nursing assistance to a patient with impaired skin integrity related to erysipelas: experience reporting

Erisipela é um processo infeccioso cutâneo causado por uma bactéria que se propaga pelos vasos linfáticos. Há a veemência em realizar uma orientação adequada quanto ao reconhecimento do problema, ao seguimento do tratamento e aos cuidados com a prevenção das complicações. Este é um relato de experiência de Enfermeiras residentes em Alta Complexidade de um Hospital Universitário do Nordeste do Brasil, na assistência a um paciente com integridade da pele prejudicada relacionada à erisipela. Foi realizado acompanhamento do paciente no período de maio a agosto de 2015, em que foi utilizado diferentes técnicas para tratamento e o mesmo evoluiu com cicatrização e cura da lesão. Possibilitou o crescimento técnico-científico dos profissionais assim como da abordagem da experiência para demais equipes promotoras de cuidado com o paciente. Descritores: Cuidado de Enfermagem; Erisipela; Lesão de Pele.

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Un proceso de la erisipela de Ia piei y infecciosa causada por una bacteria se propaga cola para los vasos linfáticos. Hay una vehemencia de conducta orientación adecuada para el reconocimiento por hacer problema, ao seguimiento de tratamiento y atención a la prevención de complicaciones. Esto y a enfermeras relato de experiencia residentes de alta dei hospital dei noreste de Brasil, mantenimiento universidad complejidad zumbido y zumbido con el paciente integridad de la piei relacionados con la erisipela con discapacidad. Se Ilevó a cabo la monitorización dei paciente cualquier período de mayo a agosto, 2015, estábamos en que diferentes técnicas utilizadas tratamiento párrafo e incluso evolucionamos con la formación de cicatrices y la curación de la lesión. El posible crecimiento de los profesionales científicos técnicos, así como enfoque experiencia párrafo también equipos que promueven el cuidado dei paciente.

Erysipelas following breast cancer surgery:12 case reports / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To analyze clinical and bacteriological features and therapeutic methods of erysipelas following breast cancer surgery in 12 hospitalized patients. Methods Clinical data on 12 patients with erysipelas following breast cancer surgery were collected from 3 third-grade class-A hospitals in Ningbo. A retrospective study was carried out. Results Of the 12 patients, 8 were treated with modified radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, 3 with radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, and 1 with mammectomy only. All of the 12 patients suffered from postoperative lymphedema on the affected side. Erysipelas mostly occurred within 1 - 18 years (mean, 8.0 years)after breast cancer surgery, and on the same side of surgery in all the patients except 2 with multi-site infection. Specifically speaking, erysipelas was located in the upper extremity in 8 patients, in the chest wall in 1 patient, in the lower extremity in 1 patient. Blood culture was performed for 5 patients, of whom, 2 showed positive results, including 1 infected with Streptococcus equisimilis and 1 with Klebsiella pneumonia. Six patients were treated with penicillins, but the primary treatment failed in 2 patients. After replacement of antibiotics, all the 12 patients experienced an improvement of the condition and were discharged from hospital. Conclusions Patients who suffer from lymphedema after breast cancer surgery are prone to erysipelas of the upper limbs and chest wall. Caution should be taken against gram-negative bacterial infections in these pateints. The treatment of lymphedema should be taken into account besides antibiotic therapy.

A Clinical Study of Inpatients with Cellulitis over the Recent 5 Years / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Cellulitis is an acute infection of the dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin, which is commonly treated by a dermatologist but there are few reports about clinical data on cellulitis in Korean literature. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the clinical characteristics of inpatients diagnosed as cellulitis in the recent 5 years. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 77 patients who were diagnosed as cellulitis and hospitalized at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from March 2008 to February 2013. RESULTS: The study included data from 77 patients with cellulitis (mean age, 51.7 years; 44 men, 33 women). There was a positive correlation between age and hospitalized days (p0.05). Systemic steroid was administered in 21 patients (27.3%), and was not significantly related to hospitalized days (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical course of cellulitis was inversely correlated to the elevation of patient's age, WBC count, and CRP.

Clinical Characteristics and Organisms Causing Erysipelas and Cellulitis

BACKGROUND: Although erysipelas and cellulitis are common soft tissue infectious diseases, there have been a few studies which investigate clinical characteristics and causative organisms in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had been diagnosed with erysipelas or cellulitis from ten general hospitals between January 2009 and February 2011. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 144 patients with erysipelas and 735 with cellulitis were recruited. The mean age of erysipelas patients was 53.6 years, and that of cellulitis patients was 47.5 years. Diabetes mellitus was the most common underlying disease in both groups. The most common site of erysipelas was the face (80.6%) and that of cellulitis was the lower extremity (64.9%). Culture studies have been done in 31.9% (46/144) of patients with erysipelas, and 41.1% (302/735) with cellulites. Causative organisms were identified in 3 patients (2.1%) with erysipelas and 57 (7.8%) with cellulitis. Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated from two patients with erysipelas, and group G streptococcus from one. Staphylococcus aureus (44.0%) was the most common isolate in patients with cellulitis, followed by streptococci (27.1%), Enteobateriaceae (11.9%), and Vibrio species (6.8%). First-generation cephalosporin was the most commonly used antimicrobial agent in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: beta-hemolytic streptococcus and S. aureus were the most common causative organisms of patients with erysipelas and cellulitis.

Dermatologia comparativa: similaridade entre elefantíase nostra verrucosa e coral / Comparative dermatology: elephantiasis nostra in verrucous form comparable to coral

Demonstra-se quadro raro de Elefantíase Nostra, na sua forma verrucosa, no dorso de pé de homem de 80 anos por episódios prévios de erisipela de repetição. As lesões confluentes vegetantes e difusas em dorso de pé são comparáveis aos corais Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea curvata).

Study of a rare case of Elephantiasis Nostra in verrucous form on the dorsum of the foot of an 80year-old male with a history of recurrent erysipelas infection. The vegetant, confluent lesions on the foot resemble Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea curvata).

Las epidemias de erisipela en Chile / Erysipelas outbreaks in Chile

Historical antecedents of erysipelas outbreaks in Chile, registered by national bibliography at years 1822 and 1873 are reviewed. The first one, after an earthquake, with numerous severe ataxo-adynamic manifestations and the second, more attenuated with few severe cases. Remembers of treatments utilized at XIX Century for the disease and the beginning of sulphamides prescription at the thirty decade are presented. Afterwards penicillin and other antimicrobial agents treatments were implemented. Finally, we comment the severe presentation of soft tissues streptococcal diseases that appeared in the end of XX Century.

Se revisa los antecedentes históricos de las epidemias de erisipela en Chile, que anota la bibliografía nacional, en los años 1822 y 1873. La primera, a continuación de un terremoto, con numerosas formas graves ataxo-adinámicas y la segunda, más benigna, con pocos casos graves. Se recuerda los tratamientos de la enfermedad utilizados en el siglo XIX y la iniciación de los antimicrobianos sulfamidados, en la década de los años 30. Posteriormente penicilina y otros antimicrobianos. Finalmente, se comenta la gravedad emergente de las infecciones estreptocóccicas de tejidos blandos, en los últimos años del siglo XX.

Erysipelas of the Upper Extremity Following Surgical Therapy for Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the dermis and hypodermis, mostly of streptococcal origin, and erysipelas of upper extremity following breast cancer treatment has never been reported in the Korean literature. METHODS: 39-year-old female presented to our hospital complaining of fever and painful swelling of her left upper extremity. She had a history of breast cancer and was treated with breast conserving surgery with axillary lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, and radiation. On physical examination, her left upper extremity showed vesicle, bullae, local heatness and erythema with well-defined margin. With these distinctive features of a skin lesion, we gave a diagnosis of erysipelas and started treatment with intravenous antibiotics. RESULTS: Resolution of the signs and symptoms of erysipelas occurred after 7 days of treatment. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of erysipelas with distinctive feature of skin lesion is essential and we emphasize that the prevention of any trauma are very important in these patients for prophylactic measures.

Erysipelas of the Upper Extremity Following Surgical Therapy for Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the dermis and hypodermis, mostly of streptococcal origin, and erysipelas of upper extremity following breast cancer treatment has never been reported in the Korean literature. METHODS: 39-year-old female presented to our hospital complaining of fever and painful swelling of her left upper extremity. She had a history of breast cancer and was treated with breast conserving surgery with axillary lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, and radiation. On physical examination, her left upper extremity showed vesicle, bullae, local heatness and erythema with well-defined margin. With these distinctive features of a skin lesion, we gave a diagnosis of erysipelas and started treatment with intravenous antibiotics. RESULTS: Resolution of the signs and symptoms of erysipelas occurred after 7 days of treatment. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of erysipelas with distinctive feature of skin lesion is essential and we emphasize that the prevention of any trauma are very important in these patients for prophylactic measures.

Sulfathiazole in certain acute infections: preliminary report

1. Twenty-seven cases of various forms of acute infection were treated with sulfathiazole2. The pneumonias, erysipelas, acute tracheo-bronchitis, acute cellulitis of the leg, puerperal fever, and a case of acute circumscribed inflammation of the auditory canal were favorably influenced by the drug. In acute gonorrhea, acute pleurisies, and in one case of facial cellulitis with abscess, sulfathiazole was a failure.3. The side-effects noted in my series were convulsion cyanosis in 3 cases, drug fever and diarrhea in another, and morbilliform rashes in 3. All of these patients were of ages ranging from 1.5 months to 5 years. None of my adult patients developed any toxic manifestations4. Sulfathiazole seems to be a useful therapeutic agent in the treatment of the pneumonias, acute tracheo-bronchitis, acute cellulitis, erysipelas, puerperal fever, and in beginning acute circumscribed inflammation of the auditory tube.(Summary and Conclusion)