Risk factors for abscess formation in patients with superficial cellulitis (erysipelas) of the leg.

Risk factors for abscess formation in patients with superficial cellulitis (erysipelas) of the leg.

Dec 2012

Picard D, Klein A, Grigioni S, Joly P.

Source

Department of Dermatology, Inserm U905, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen University Hospital, University of Normandy, Rouen, France Nutrition unit and EA4311, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Rouen University Hospital, University of Normandy, Rouen, France.

Abstract

Background:  Superficial cellulitis of the leg (erysipelas) is a frequent skin infection. Abscess formation is the most frequent local complication. Determinants of abscess formation in patients with leg cellulitis have not been clearly established yet. 

The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for abscess formation in patients with leg cellulitis.

Patients and methods:  The clinical, biological and bacteriological records of all patients referred to the Dermatology Department of a University Hospital for superficial cellulitis of the leg during a 3-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, main patients' characteristics at baseline were compared between the group of patients who developed abscess and the group who did not. 

Results:  One-hundred-and-sixty-four patients (93 females, 71 males) of mean age 65±18 years were included. Abscess occurred in 13 cases (8%). The following general factors were positively associated with abscess formation: male gender, smoking, alcohol abuse, delayed introduction of antibiotic treatment. Based on multivariate analysis, only chronic alcohol abuse (OR=4.3, 95%CI:1.08-20.57) and delayed antibiotic treatment initiation (OR=1.4, 95%CI:1.02-2.04) remained independently associated with abscess formation. 

Conclusion:  Alcohol abuse and delayed initiation of antibiotic treatment are risk factors for abscess formation in patients with cellulitis of the leg. Patients with these predictors must be monitored carefully for abscess formation.

Wiley

Cellulitis--epidemiological and clinical characteristics.

2012

Hadzovic-Cengic M, Sejtarija-Memisevic A, Koluder-Cimic N, Lukovac E, Mehanic S, Hadzic A, Hasimbegovic-lbrahimovic S.

Source

Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. melica74@gmail.com

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: 

Cellulitis is acute skin infection and/or infection of subcutaneous tissue, mostly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Clinical preview is usually obvious and enough for diagnosis. Tretment is antimicrobial therapy. In recurrent cases a prophylaxis is very often needed.

OBJECTIVES:

Analysis some of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cellulitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Retrospective analysis of medical documentation of patients with clinical preview of cellulitiswho were hospitalized in Clinic for infective diseases of Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo in last three years.

RESULTS:

In period of three years 123 patients were hospitalized with clinical preview of cellulitis in the broadest sense of the word. In 123 of cellulitises, 35/123 (28.45%) were erisipelases-superficial type and 88/123 (71,55%) were deep cellulitises. Men were more affected 56,09%, average of age was 50.22 years. Before hospitalization patients had ambulance treatment in average of 5.12 days, and hospitalization was long in average of 13.33 days. Risk factors wich contributes to the disease were found in 71.54% of cases. Due to localisation, skin disorders on lower limb were the most frequent 71.56%,cellulitis of upper limb were found in 12.19%, head and/or neck in 13.08%, trunk in 3.25%. Repetition of disease were found in 4.8% in patients wtih risk factors. Bacteremic isolats were confirmed in 27.64% of cases. In all patients empirical antibiotic treatment were started, in the 62.60% the first choice of medicine was antibiotic from the group of lincosamides.

CONCLUSION:

Cellulitis is very serious disease that can be prevented.

PubMed