Echtyma gangrenosum caused by coinfection with group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus: an emerging etiology? Case reports and literature review

ABSTRACT

Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is a potentially lethal skin infection, most commonly due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa with bacteremic dissemination and affecting mostly immunocompromised patients. We present two cases of EG in two men in Belgium recently admitted to our hospital, caused by a suspected coinfection by group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus, with a cutaneous dissemination, in which multiple impetigo lesions were the portal of entry. The first patient had no risk factors nor immunodeficiency, but the second was a homeless man with drug and alcohol abuse and advanced HIV infection. Early management of the condition is crucial, with initial broad spectrum antibiotherapy, rapidly narrowed down to the germs identified and skin lesion debridement if necessary. Any immunocompromising condition must be ruled out in any patient suffering from EG.

KEYWORDS:

• Ecthyma gangrenosum
• group A Streptococcus
• Staphylococcus aureus
• immunocompromised
• severe skin lesions
• HIV

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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