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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Necrotizing fasciitis causes

Introduction

Overview

Overview

The causative organisms vary depending on the type of necrotizing fasciitis: Type I (polymicrobial), Type II (monomicrobial), Type III (Gram negative monomicrobial, including marine related organisms) and Type IV (fungal).[1]

Causes

Causes

Necrotizing fasciitis may be caused by the following organisms:[2]

Type Organism
Type 1 (70%-80% cases)
Polymicrobial/Synergistic[3][4][5]		 ● Mixed aerobes, anaerobes and facultative anerobic bacteria
● Often bowel flora-derived
● Affects immunocomprmised or those with underlying abominal pathology
Type 2 (20% to 30% cases)
Monomicrobial[6][7]		 ● Beta-Hemolytic Streptococci group A (Streptococcus pyogenes)
● With/without Staphylococcus aureus
● Skin or throat derived
Type 3 (common in Asia)
Gram negative monomicrobial (including marine related organisms)[8][9]		 ● Vibrio spp mainly
● Raw oyster ingestion (Vibrio vulnificus)
● Wound contamination with sea water
● Non-vibrio spp (Pasteurella multocida, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella spp. and Aeromonas spp)
Type 4 (Fungal)[1] ● Candida (Immunocompromised patients)
● Zygomycetes such as Mucor and Rhizopus spp (Immunocompetent patients)
References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Misiakos EP, Bagias G, Patapis P, Sotiropoulos D, Kanavidis P, Machairas A (2014). “Current concepts in the management of necrotizing fasciitis”. Front Surg. 1: 36. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2014.00036. PMC 4286984. PMID 25593960.
  2. ↑ Shimizu T, Tokuda Y (2010). “Necrotizing fasciitis”. Intern Med. 49 (12): 1051–7. PMID 20558917.
  3. ↑ Salcido RS (2007). “Necrotizing fasciitis: reviewing the causes and treatment strategies”. Adv Skin Wound Care. 20 (5): 288–93, quiz 294-5. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000269317.76380.3b. PMID 17473566.
  4. ↑ Anaya DA, McMahon K, Nathens AB, Sullivan SR, Foy H, Bulger E (2005). “Predictors of mortality and limb loss in necrotizing soft tissue infections”. Arch Surg. 140 (2): 151–7, discussion 158. doi:10.1001/archsurg.140.2.151. PMID 15723996.
  5. ↑ Miller LG, Perdreau-Remington F, Rieg G, Mehdi S, Perlroth J, Bayer AS; et al. (2005). “Necrotizing fasciitis caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Los Angeles”. N Engl J Med. 352 (14): 1445–53. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa042683. PMID 15814880.
  6. ↑ Shiroff AM, Herlitz GN, Gracias VH (2014). “Necrotizing soft tissue infections”. J Intensive Care Med. 29 (3): 138–44. doi:10.1177/0885066612463680. PMID 23753218.
  7. ↑ Umbert IJ, Winkelmann RK, Oliver GF, Peters MS (1989). “Necrotizing fasciitis: a clinical, microbiologic, and histopathologic study of 14 patients”. J Am Acad Dermatol. 20 (5 Pt 1): 774–81. PMID 2654217.
  8. ↑ Howard RJ, Pessa ME, Brennaman BH, Ramphal R (1985). “Necrotizing soft-tissue infections caused by marine vibrios”. Surgery. 98 (1): 126–30. PMID 4012603.
  9. ↑ Goodell KH, Jordan MR, Graham R, Cassidy C, Nasraway SA (2004). “Rapidly advancing necrotizing fasciitis caused by Photobacterium (Vibrio) damsela: a hyperaggressive variant”. Crit Care Med. 32 (1): 278–81. doi:10.1097/01.CCM.0000104920.01254.82. PMID 14707592.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yamuna Kondapally, M.B.B.S[2]