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1: J Med Case Reports. 2008 Jan 22;2(1):14.Click here to read Click here to read Links

Ecthyma gangrenosum without bacteremia in a previously healthy man: a case report.

Gençer S, Ozer S, Ege Gül A, Doğan M, Ak O.

Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Kartal Dr, Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. segencer@tnn.net.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Ecthyma gangrenosum is known as a characteristic lesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis and is usually seen in immunocompromised patients. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 63-year-old man was admitted with sloughy necrotic ulcerations of the skin over his sternum. He was afebrile and in good condition. A skin biopsy revealed ecthyma gangrenosum. Blood cultures remained sterile, but a culture of biopsy material grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: Ecthyma gangrenosum may develop even in the absence of bacteremia and even in immunocompetent patients. It should be considered as a possible diagnosis even when a previously healthy patient has negative blood cultures.

PMID: 18211707 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

PMCID: PMC2259368