RISK-FACTORS IN NECROTIZING FASCIITIS - A CASE INVOLVING CRYPTOCOCCUS-NEOFORMANS

Necrotizing fasciitis is a destructive soft tissue infection that is m ost typically caused by group A streptococci or a combination of facul tative and anaerobic bacteria. Patients at risk for the development of necrotizing fasciitis often have compromised immune function or poor tissue perfusion. This report describes a case of necrotizing fasciiti s caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, a pathogen not previously associa ted with this primary destructive soft tissue infection. The process o ccurred in a patient at risk for the development of opportunistic infe ction. We briefly review the risk factors for the development of necro tizing fasciitis and the typical bacteriologic findings. Cryptococcal infections and their treatment are described. Despite the uncommon pat hogen, the treatment of this patient followed established principles-p rompt surgical intervention and systemic antimicrobial therapy tailore d to the offending organisms.