Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
Necrotizing soft tissue infection is a rare but very severe type of bacterial infection that can destroy the muscles, skin, and underlying tissue. Necrotizing refers to something that causes tissue death.
Alternative Names
Necrotizing fasciitis; Fasciitis - necrotizing; Flesh-eating bacteria; Soft tissue gangrene; Gangrene - soft tissue
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Many different types of bacteria can cause this type of infection. A very severe and usually deadly form of necrotizing soft tissue infection is due to Streptococcus pyogenes, which is sometimes called "flesh-eating bacteria."
Necrotizing soft tissue infection develops when the bacteria enters the body, usually through a minor cut or scrape. The bacteria begins to grow and release harmful substances (toxins) that:
- Directly kill tissue
- Interfere with the blood flow to the tissue
- Break down materials in the tissue, which rapidly spreads the bacteria, leading to widespread effects such as
shock
Review Date: 12/17/2009
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; Daniel Levy, MD, Infectious Disease, Maryland Family
Care, Lutherville, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare
Network.Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
