Clinical and microbiological profile of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) leading to sepsis

Preamble: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are an important cause of sepsis. Acute skin failure may result from many dermatological conditions. In this study we tried to highlight the role of skin failure as a component of multiple organ dysfunctions. Materials and Methods: All adult patients (>18 years) diagnosed clinically as sepsis due to skin and soft tissue infections were included. Risk assessment was done using various parameters. Identification of pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern was performed by blood and skin swab cultures. Results: A total of 55 patients (31 male and 24 female) were included in the study. The common causes of SSTI were surgical site infections, cellulites, necrotisingfasciitis, traumatic open wounds, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, burns, bed-sores, unknown wounds and others. The major risk factors identified were the percentage of skin involvement, depth of wounds, presence of unhealthy granulation tissue and co morbidities like diabetes and immunodeficiency. MRSA and ESBL producing gram negative bacteria were important causative microbes for SSTI induced sepsis. Conclusion: SSTI is one of the important causes of sepsis. Early recognition and management of risk factors can prevent adverse outcome. Knowing microbiological etiology and drug sensitivity pattern is important is connection with SSTI related sepsis. Septic shock was identified as most important organ failure on admission leading to death in patients having SSTI related sepsis.