NECROTIZING FASCIITIS CAUSED BY STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS

Two patients with rapidly progressive necrotizing fasciitis of a lower extremity due to Staphylococcus aureus as a single pathogen are descr ibed, In both patients the portal of entry was attributed to needle pu ncture (intra-articular injection and intravenous catheter, respective ly), followed by bacteremia, Necrotizing fasciitis occurred in a site remote from the needle puncture, suggesting metastatic infection. One patient developed toxic shock syndrome and the other a sunburn-like ra sh and erythematous mucosae with strawberry tongue. One patient died, and the other required above-knee amputation due to secondary infectio us complications. Staphylococcus aureus may mimic the presentation of invasive group A streptococcal infections. A history of needle punctur e should alert the physician to the possibility of Staphylococcus aure us infection.