Chapter 28 Skin and wound infections
Normal flora
Skin infections
The major forms of skin infections and the agents involved are shown in Table 28.1.
Aetiological agent | Skin infection |
---|---|
Bacteria | |
Staphylococcus aureus | Abscesses (boils), impetigo, pustules, carbuncles, toxic epidermal necrolysis (Ritter’s disease), omphalitis, angular cheilitis, sycosis barbae |
β-Haemolytic streptococci | Cellulitis, impetigo, erysipelas |
Propionibacterium acnes | Acne |
Mycobacterium tuberculosis | Lupus vulgaris |
Mycobacterium ulcerans | Swimming pool granuloma |
Mycobacterium leprae | Leprosy |
Actinomyces israelii | Actinomycosis (cervicofacial) |
Treponema pallidum | Syphilis |
Haemophilus ducreyi | Chancroid |
Viruses | |
Herpes simplex virus | Cold sore, herpetic whitlow |
Varicella-zoster virus | Chickenpox, shingles |
Papovaviruses | Papillomas, warts |
Coxsackievirus A | Hand, foot and mouth disease |
Fungi | |
Candida spp. | Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis |
Angular cheilitis | |
Various dermatophytes | Ringworm, etc. |
a Infections caused by protozoa and insects are not given.
Bacterial skin infections
Angular cheilitis (synonym: angular stomatitis)
Inflammation of one or both angles of the mouth, especially in denture-wearing elderly people, may be related to Staphylococcus aureus and/or Candida infection. However, many other predisposing factors are involved, and the dentist should be aware of the management of this condition (see Chapter 35).
Leprosy
Caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The organism lives in human skin and nerves and is transmitted by prolonged contact to cause a chronic granulomatous disease. There are two types: the lepromatous and the tuberculoid forms (see Chapter 19).