Microbiology

  • Non-purulent infections (cellulitis and erysipelas) are most frequently caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and other β-hemolytic streptococci (BHS).1-3
  • Purulent infections (abscesses and wound infections) are most frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).4
  • Wound infections may also be caused by Gram-negative or anaerobic bacteria.1,5,6
Microbiology-Petri-Dish
Which Bacteria Cause SSTI?
Rates of MRSA

Which Bacteria Cause SSTI?

Non-purulent infections: which include cellulitis and erysipelas, are most frequently caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and other BHS.1-3 Cellulitis is the most common type of skin and soft tissue infection in patients who are hospitalized for treatment, accounting for close to 60% of cases.2

 

This illustration depicts a three-dimensional (3D), computer-generated image, of a group of Gram-positive, Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) bacteria. The artistic recreation was based upon scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imagery.

Image courtesy of the Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit - Medical Illustrator, via the Public Health Image Library of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Purulent infections such as abscesses and wound infections are frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA. Wound infections may also be caused by Gram-negative or anaerobic bacteria.1,5,6

 

 

This illustration depicts a three-dimensional (3D) computer-generated image of a group of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, which were arranged in a cluster. The artistic recreation was based upon scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imagery.

Image courtesy of the Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit - Medical Illustrator, via the Public Health Image Library of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rates of MRSA Across the US

MRSA accounts for nearly half (46%) of all S. aureus related SSTIs.3,6 Strains are often resistant to older antibiotics, such as macrolides, fluroquinolones and clindamycin,7 and MRSA is associated with longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs than methicillin-sensitive S. aureus.8,9

Prevalence

Based on 1,672 clinical isolates collected from U.S. medical centers during 2022. JMI Laboratories Sentry Antimicrobial Surveillance Database.10

Learn about the pathogenesis of SSTI

References

  1. Ramakrishnan K, Salinas RC, Agudelo Higuita NI. Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):474–483.
  2. Esposito S, Bassetti M, Concia E, et al. Diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI). A literature review and consensus statement: an update. J Chemother. 2017;29(4):197–214.
  3. Pulido-Cejudo A, Guzmán-Gutierrez M, Jalife-Montaño A, et al. Management of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections with a focus on patients at high risk of treatment failure. Ther Adv Infect Dis. 2017;4(5):143–161.
  4. Kobayashi SD, Malachowa N, DeLeo FR. Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus abscesses. Am J Pathol. 2015;185(6):1518–1527.
  5. Sibbald RG, Orsted H, Schultz GS, et al. Preparing the wound bed 2003: focus on infection and inflammation. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2003;49(11):24–51.
  6. Esposito S, Noviello S, Leone S. Epidemiology and microbiology of skin and soft tissue infections. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2016;29(2):109–115
  7. Diekema DJ, Pfaller MA, Shortridge D, et al. Twenty-year trends in antimicrobial susceptibilities among Staphylococcus aureus from the SENTRY antimicrobial surveillance program. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019;6:S47–S53.
  8. Anderson DJ, Kaye KS, Chen LF, et al. Clinical and financial outcomes due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus surgical site infection: a multi-center matched outcomes study. PLoS One. 2009;4(12):e8305.
  9. Keyloun K, Murphy B, Gillard P, Berger A. Utilization and Cost of Healthcare Services During Episodes of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSIs) Involving Admission to US Hospitals: A Retrospective Observational Analysis Using a Large Healthcare Claims Database. ISPOR; 2017
  10.  JMI Keystone Surveillance Database. Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Available from: https://paratek-keystone.com/ 
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