necrotizing fasciitis

(noun)

Necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease or flesh-eating bacteria syndrome, is a rare infection of the deeper layers of skin and subcutaneous tissues, that easily spreads across the fascial plane within the subcutaneous tissue.

Related Terms

Examples of necrotizing fasciitis in the following topics:

  • Noncholera Vibrios

    • Medical therapy consists of the following: prompt initiation of effective antibiotic therapy (doxycycline or a quinolone), intensive medical therapy with aggressive fluid replacement, vasopressors for hypotension and septic shock, early fasciotomy within 24 hours after development of clinical symptoms in patients with necrotizing fasciitis, early debridement of the infected wound, expeditious and serial surgical evaluation and intervention to prevent rapid deterioration, especially in patients with necrotizing fasciitis or compartment syndrome.

  • Gangrene

    • Compare and contrast the different types of gangrene: dry, wet, gas, noma, fournier gangrene and necrotizing fasciitis

  • Sepsis and Septic Shock

    • The precipitating infections which may lead to septic shock if severe enough include appendicitis, pneumonia, bacteremia, diverticulitis, pyelonephritis, meningitis, pancreatitis, and necrotizing fasciitis.

  • Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

    • During this stage, occurring approximately 3–7 days post-infection, the typical symptoms are parosmia, rapidly progressing to anosmia (with resultant ageusia) as the nerve cells of the olfactory bulbs are consumed and replaced with necrotic lesions.

  • Host Risk Factors

    • This can lead to pseudomembranous colitis, the generalized inflammation of the colon and the development of "pseudomembrane", a viscous collection of inflammatory cells, fibrin, and necrotic cells.

  • Type III (Immune Complex) Reactions

    • As observed under methods of histopathology, acute necrotizing vasculitis within the affected tissues is observed concomitant to neutrophilic infiltration, along with notable eosinophilic deposition (fibrinoid necrosis).

  • The Cardiovascular System

    • The most distinctive symptom of bubonic plague is extreme swelling of one or more lymph nodes that bulge out of the skin as "buboes. " The buboes often become necrotic and may even rupture.