Flesh Eating Bacteria causing Necrosis: Sources and Prevention

Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious bacterial skin infection that cause necrosis of the skin, fascia and vasculature. Flesh eating bacteria spreads rapidly which then requires an immediate diagnosis for correct treatment. Microorganism that cause necrotizing fasciitis are streptococcus A, Klebsiella, Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and pseudomonas hydrophila. Necrotizing fasciitis can affect any part of the body which makes it the most serious presentation of necrotizing soft tissue infections. Flesh eating bacteria are rare but can be potentially fatal thus requiring proper treatment and management. Thus, without proper diagnosis flesh eating bacteria can present as a variety of disorder. Necrotizing fasciitis has a greater incidence in adults rather than children. With the most clinical occurrences being in the United States and Australia. Research has found that despite advances in management the mortality rate is still high. It has also been established that those who are immunocompromised or who are facing a previous infection will have a high mortality risk. Therefore, risk factors for flesh eating bacteria are advanced age, obesity, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, and immunosuppressive disorders. The aim of the presentation is to gain a knowledge of flesh eating bacteria and the ways in which society can prevent occurrences.