Soft tissue infections

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2009 Feb;35(1):45-62. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2009.03.002.

Abstract

Soft tissue infections are common and potentially fatal conditions. Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who have rheumatic disease. Patients who have rheumatic diseases may be at increased risk for soft tissue infections because of various factors, including inherent immunologic defects, genetics, and use of immunomodulatory therapy, including biologic agents. Timely diagnosis and management with the institution of antibiotics with or without surgical intervention is imperative for effective resolution of infection. This article provides a review of recent literature on the presentation and clinical course of infectious tenosynovitis, septic bursitis, pyomyositis, and necrotizing fasciitis, especially in relation to patients who have rheumatic disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Bursitis / complications
  • Bursitis / diagnosis*
  • Bursitis / therapy
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / complications
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / diagnosis*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects
  • Pyomyositis / complications
  • Pyomyositis / diagnosis*
  • Pyomyositis / therapy
  • Rheumatic Diseases / complications
  • Rheumatic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Rheumatic Diseases / pathology*
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases / etiology
  • Skin Diseases / therapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections / diagnosis*
  • Soft Tissue Infections / etiology
  • Soft Tissue Infections / therapy
  • Tenosynovitis / complications
  • Tenosynovitis / diagnosis*
  • Tenosynovitis / therapy
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha