Flesh Eating Bacteria
Kenny Vo
Microbiology
Dr. Arora
10 December 2012
Flesh Eating Bacteria Necrotizing Fasciitis is a rare bacterial disease that causes the rapid decay of the fascia. The human body is said to be compose of approximately a hundred trillion cells, connective tissue contributes to about forty five percent of the total cell weight. It was nicknamed the flesh eating bacteria because the victims injuries would have a rotting appearance.
What are the pathogens that cause this disease? Necrotizing Fasciitis can be caused by a number of different microorganisms. The organisms are separated into three groups. Type I Necrotizing Fasciitis also called polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis is caused by a mix of multiple bacteria. It usually occurs after trauma or after surgery. It could be mistaken for cellulitis which is a superficial inflammatory condition of the connective tissue. A vibrio species is also known to be capable of causing this disease. Type II Necrotizing Fasciitis is caused by the Group A Streptococcus bacterium. Streptococcus pyogenes is the most commonly reported pathogen involved in most cases of flesh eating bacteria. It is also the most dangerous. This bacterium usually results in widespread tissue necrosis. Type III Necrotizing Fasciitis is caused by the bacteria clostridium perfringens. It was a skeletal muscle infection that results in cell death and producing gas. It was also termed Gas Gangrene. Once the disease has penetrated the layers of connective tissue, it begins to deteriorate the muscles; it is then call necrotizing myositis.
What are the symptoms? In most cases of necrotizing fasciitis, the victim usually has suffered from a minor trauma or rupture in skin to which creates a portal of entry for the pathogen. Within hours the wound will produces severe pain that seems to grow more and feels out of proportion with the size of the wound. The pain is described to be similar to a muscle pull at first. The area infected will begin to
Microbiology
Dr. Arora
10 December 2012
Flesh Eating Bacteria Necrotizing Fasciitis is a rare bacterial disease that causes the rapid decay of the fascia. The human body is said to be compose of approximately a hundred trillion cells, connective tissue contributes to about forty five percent of the total cell weight. It was nicknamed the flesh eating bacteria because the victims injuries would have a rotting appearance.
What are the pathogens that cause this disease? Necrotizing Fasciitis can be caused by a number of different microorganisms. The organisms are separated into three groups. Type I Necrotizing Fasciitis also called polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis is caused by a mix of multiple bacteria. It usually occurs after trauma or after surgery. It could be mistaken for cellulitis which is a superficial inflammatory condition of the connective tissue. A vibrio species is also known to be capable of causing this disease. Type II Necrotizing Fasciitis is caused by the Group A Streptococcus bacterium. Streptococcus pyogenes is the most commonly reported pathogen involved in most cases of flesh eating bacteria. It is also the most dangerous. This bacterium usually results in widespread tissue necrosis. Type III Necrotizing Fasciitis is caused by the bacteria clostridium perfringens. It was a skeletal muscle infection that results in cell death and producing gas. It was also termed Gas Gangrene. Once the disease has penetrated the layers of connective tissue, it begins to deteriorate the muscles; it is then call necrotizing myositis.
What are the symptoms? In most cases of necrotizing fasciitis, the victim usually has suffered from a minor trauma or rupture in skin to which creates a portal of entry for the pathogen. Within hours the wound will produces severe pain that seems to grow more and feels out of proportion with the size of the wound. The pain is described to be similar to a muscle pull at first. The area infected will begin to