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Necrotising Fasciitis

What are the causes?

The commonest and most serious infections are caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A beta haemolytic Streptococcus). Occasionally it can be caused by Staphylococcus aureas, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium septicum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio species and some fungi. Rarely it may be as a result of a non-group A streptococci, Streptococcus pneumonia or Haemophilus influenzae type b infection. Sometimes bacteria that are anaerobic (able to live without oxygen) and aerobic (needing oxygen) or facultative (having the ability to grow without oxygen) act together to cause tissue necrosis (death of a limited portion of tissue).

View What are the symptoms? What are the symptoms?  |  How is it diagnosed? View How is it diagnosed?

Medical text written August 2002 by Dr P Salt, Registrar, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.

 

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