Soft Tissue Case 1 Background

Necrotizing fasciitis is a subset of aggressive and rapidly progressive skin and soft tissue infections that cause muscle fascia and subcutaneous tissue necrosis.¹ 

There are two types of necrotizing fasciitis:

• Type 1 is polymicrobial, involves non-group A streptococci and anaerobes, and usually affects the abdomen and perineum.
• Type 2 is from group A Beta-hemolytic streptococci and affects the extremities.

Risk factors include:² 

• IV drug use 
• Recent surgery, childbirth or other soft tissue wounds 
• Diabetes 
• Peripheral artery disease
• Cirrhosis 
• HIV
• Neutropenia