Transcript What is Necrotizing Fasciitis? - HCC Learning Web

NECROTIZING FASCIITIS
By: XXXXXXXXXXX
Biology 1407
April 23, 2010
Houston Community College
What is Necrotizing Fasciitis?
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A progressive, rapidly spreading, inflammatory
infection located in the deep fascia, with
secondary necrosis (death) of the
subcutaneous tissues.
Commonly called flesh-eating bacteria
25% of people who contract Necrotizing
Fasciitis will die from it.
What Causes Necrotizing Fasciitis?
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A group of bacteria called Group A
Streptococcus cause NF (Necrotizing Fasciitis).
These bacteria also cause such diseases as
strep throat, scarlet fever, and pneumonia.
Some of the bacteria from this group include
Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio vulnificus, and
Clostridium perfringens.
Pathophysiology of Necrotizing Fasciitis
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There is a misconception about this disease:
the bacteria does not actually “eat” the skin or
tissue.
The bacteria comes in through an opening in
the skin, from the size of a paper cut or pin
prick to a major trauma or surgery incision.
Pathophysiology of Necrotizing Fasciitis
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The bacteria releases toxins (virulence
factors), which activate T-cells nonspecifically,
which stimulate the overproduction of
cytokines.
This leads to inflammation, then leads to
tissue death.
Where does the bacteria come from?
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The bacteria comes from respiratory droplets
 Coughing
 Sneezing
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Direct contact with secretions from someone
carrying the bacteria.
 Body
fluids
Who Can Get Necrotizing Fasciitis?
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Anyone can have Necrotizing Fasciitis.
It does matter if you are male or female, old
or young, or of a specific race.
Also, the disease can be contracted anywhere
in the world.
No one is immune to this ailment.
Higher Risk Groups to Contract NF
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The higher risk groups to acquire Necrotizing
Fasciitis include people with:
 Weak
immune systems
 Chronic health problems, like diabetes, cancer,
liver or kidney diseases
 Cuts on skin, including surgical wounds
Higher Risk Groups to Contract NF
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The higher risk groups to acquire Necrotizing
Fasciitis include:
 People
who recently had chickenpox or a viral
infection that causes a rash
 People that use steroid medications
Chicken Pox
Symptoms of NF
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Early Stages (Within 24 hours)
 Minor
trauma or other skin opening
(not necessarily infected)
 Some pain from wound
 Pain whole lot worse than wound
Symptoms of NF
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Early Stages
 Flu-like
symptoms- diarrhea, nausea, fever,
confusion, dizziness, weakness, and depression
 Intense thirst
Symptoms of NF
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Advanced Symptoms (within 3-4 days)
 Limb
or area experiencing pain begins to swell,
and may turn purple
 May start to have large dark marks, might turn
into blisters filled with blackish fluid
 May start to appear necrotic with bluish, white or
dark, spotted, flaky appearance
Symptoms of NF
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Critical Symptoms (usually within 4-5 days)
 Blood
pressure drops severely
 Toxic shock
 Unconsciousness
How is NF Diagnosed?
CT scan - if diagnosis is uncertain or to
show depth
 X-rays
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 Chest-
to look for signs of lung damage
(respiratory distress syndrome)
 Others check for gas and fluid buildup at site
of infection
How is NF Diagnosed?
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MRI - if diagnosis is uncertain or to show depth
Tissue cultures - for bacteria
Blood Tests - CBC, blood chemistry, creatine
phosphokinase, C-reactive protein- shows
whether infection present or muscles have been
damaged
Misdiagnosis
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Many times Necrotizing Fasciitis is
misdiagnosed for a variety reasons:
 Early
symptoms are the same as many other
illnesses.
 Rare disease
Treatment of NF
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Usually starts with IV antibiotics: penicillin,
vancomycin, and clindamycin
Aggressive debridement - removal of affected
tissue by surgery
Skin grafting to cover large openings in the
skin after debridement
Treatment of NF
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy - helps prevent
tissue death and promote healing
Amputation
Other medications to treat symptoms, like
blood pressure
Prevention of NF
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Good Hygiene
Anti-microbial soap
 Cover your mouth when you cough or
sneeze
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Prevention of Necrotizing Fasciitis
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Throw away tissues
Wash hands frequently
Avoid contact with persons showing sore throat
symptoms
Glossary
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Autolytic - using your own body’s processes
CT Scan - sometimes called CAT scan- combines
special x-ray equipment with sophisticated
computers to produce multiple images or pictures
of the inside of the body. CT scans provide
greater clarity and reveal more details than
regular x-ray exams.
Debridement - removal of unhealthy tissue from a
wound to promote healing. It can be done by
surgical, chemical, mechanical, or autolytic
removal of the tissue.
Glossary
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Fascia - strong connective tissue which envelops
and isolates the muscles of the body, and provides
structural support and protection.
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging - uses a
powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses
and a computer to produce detailed pictures of
organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other
internal body structures.
Necrosis - death of body tissue, occurs when
there is not enough blood flowing to the tissue,
whether from injury, radiation, or chemicals.
Necrosis is not reversible.
Glossary
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Pneumonia - respiratory condition in which
there is inflammation of the lung.
Scarlet fever - or scarlatina, is an illness that
brings on a rash covering most of the body, a
strawberry-like appearance of the tongue and
usually a high fever.
Subcutaneous tissue - loose connective tissue
under the dermal skin layer.
Bibliography
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"CT - Body." RadiologyInfo.org. RadiologyInfo.org, 2010.
Web. 25 Apr 2010. <http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/
info.cfm?pg=bodyct>.
"Debridement of a Wound, Infection, or Burn." Your
Health. Aurora Health Care, 2010. Web. 15 Apr 2010.
<http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/yourhealth/healthgate/
getcontent.asp?URLhealthgate=%2214803.html%22>.
"MRI of the Body (Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis)."
RadiologyInfo.org. RadiologyInfo.org, 2010. Web. 22 Apr
2010. <http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=
bodymr>.
Bibliography
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"Necrosis." Medline Plus, 2010. Web. 24 Apr 2010.
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/articl
e/ 002266.htm>.
"Necrotizing Fasciitis." Medicine Net. Medicine Net,
2009. Web. 25 Apr 2010.
<http://www.medicinenet.com/necrotizing_fasciiti
s/ page4.htm>
"Necrotizing Fasciitis." WrongDiagnosis.com.
WrongDiagnosis.com, 2009. Web. 18 Apr 2010.
<http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/n/
necrotizing_fasciitis/intro.htm>
Bibliography
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"Necrotizing fasciitis: an uncommon disease,
frequently misdiagnosed." Access My Library. Access
My Library, 2008. Web. 25 Apr 2010.
<http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1121416627/necrotizing-fasciitis-uncommondisease.html>.
"NF Fact Sheet." National Necrotizing Fasciitis
Foundation, 2009. Web. 25 Apr 2010.
<http://www.nnff.org/nnff_factsheet.htm>.
"Pneumonia." Google Health. Google, 2010. Web. 25
Apr 2010.
<https://health.google.com/health/ref/Pneumonia>.
Bibliography
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"Scarlet Fever." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 2010.
Web. 25 Apr 2010.
<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scarletfever/DS00917>.
"Subcutaneous Tissue." WrongDiagnosis.com.
WrongDiagnosis.com, 2009. Web. 25 Apr 2010.
<http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/medical/
subcutaneous_tissue.htm>
"What is Fascia?." Wise Geek. Wise Geek, 2010.
Web. 24 Apr 2010.
<http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-fascia.htm>.