Aeromonas species are environmental Gram negative bacilli that occasionally can cause human disease. Necrotizing soft tissue infections may occur if certain exposures and risk factors are present.
Species involved: usually A. hydrophila, sometimes other
Exposures:
(1) exposure to environmental fresh or brackish water during the summer
(2) exposure to environmental fresh or brackish water in the tropics
(3) leech attachment
Patient risk factors:
(1) immunosuppression
(2) cirrhosis
(3) diabetes mellitus
(4) deep skin burn
(5) skin and soft tissue trauma
(6) crush injury
Clinical manifestations:
(1) cellulitis with suppuration
(2) systemic signs of malaise and fever
(3) necrotizing fasciitis
(4) myonecrosis with or without gas formation
Complications:
(1) sepsis
(2) osteomyelitis
Differential diagnosis:
(1) soft tissue infection due to Vibrio species
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