Ectima gangrenoso, manifestación cutánea infrecuente de una infección por diversos agentes / Ecthyma gangrenosum, a rare cutaneous manifestation of infection by various agents

El ectima gangrenoso es un trastorno infeccioso infrecuente clásicamente relacionado a bacteriemia, descrito principalmente en poblaciones inmunodeprimidas. El agente más comúnmente relacionado es Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sin embargo, se han descrito otras etiologías bacterianas, hongos filamentosos y levaduras. Su patogénesis está dada por la invasión de la pared de los vasos sanguíneos, causando trombosis arterial y venosa, desencadenando necrosis de epidermis y tejidos subdérmicos. Clínicamente, se manifiesta como máculas, vesículas o pústulas hemorrágicas que evolucionan a úlceras de superficie necrótica rodeadas por un halo eritematoso característico, habitualmente en un contexto clínico de sepsis. El diagnóstico de este cuadro es clínico, sin embargo, el estudio microbiológico es clave en la identificación del agente etiológico y un posterior tratamiento dirigido. En su manejo es esencial una alta sospecha clínica y el inicio de tratamiento antibiótico en forma precoz. La duración del tratamiento es variable y en algunos casos debe asociarse a debridación quirúrgica. El pronóstico es variable dependiendo de múltiples factores: estado inmunológico, agente etiológico, presencia de sepsis y el tiempo de inicio de tratamiento.(AU)

Ecthyma gangrenosum is an infrequent infectious disorder classically related to bacteremia, described mainly in immunosuppressed populations. The most related agent is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, however other bacterial etiologies, filamentous fungi and yeasts have been described. Its pathogenesis is given by the invasion of the blood vessel wall, causing arterial and venous thrombosis, triggering necrosis of epidermis and subdermal tissues. Clinically, it manifests as hemorrhagic macules, vesicles or pustules that evolve into ulcers with a necrotic surface surrounded by a characteristic erythematous halo, usually in a clinical setting of sepsis. The diagnosis of this condition is clinical, however the microbiological study is key in the identification of the etiological agent and a subsequent directed treatment. In its management, a high clinical suspicion and an early start of antibiotic treatment are essential. The duration of treatment is variable and in some cases it must be associated with surgical debridement. The prognosis is variable depending on multiple factors: immunological status, etiological agent, presence of sepsis and time of initiation of treatment.(AU)

Solitary ecthyma gangrenosum (EG)-like lesion consequent to Candida albicans in a neonate.

Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is a well recognized cutaneous lesion most commonly associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia. It usually occurs in immunocompromized and critically ill patients. Uncommonly, EG like lesions have also been observed in patients with fungal infections, like Fusarium Candida, Mucor and Aspergillus. We present a case of EG- Like lesion due to Candida albicans, in a 12 day old neonate.

Ecthyma gangrenosum: a rare cutaneous manifestation caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa without bacteraemia in a leukaemic patient--a case report.

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a rare and invasive cutaneous infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the majority of cases, typically affecting immunocompromised patients, particularly those with neutropenia. We report a rare case of ecthyma gangrenosum in the absence of bacteraemia presenting as a solitary necrotic ulcer in a female patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. A culture from the ecthyma lesion revealed the presence of Pesudomonas aeruginosa, but the results of repeated blood cultures were negative. The patient responded well to amikacin to which the isolate was susceptible in vitro. Considering high rate of mortality, early diagnosis and prompt effective treatment is mandatory.

El cirujano de urgencia ante las infecciones cutáneas / The emergency surgeon in the skin infections

Se presenta una revisión bibliográfica en relación a las infecciones cutáneas más graves y la conducta que debe tener el cirujano de urgencia frente a ellas