Antibiotics, Other
Anti-infectives such as metronidazole, clindamycin, aztreonam, and trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole are effective against some types of bacteria that have become resistant to other antibiotics. Vancomycin, daptomycin, tigecycline, and linezolid are appropriate choices In more severe cases that require parenteral antibiotics in areas where MRSA is thought to be a possible pathogen.
Clindamycin (Cleocin)
Clindamycin is a lincosamide used for the treatment of serious skin and soft-tissue staphylococcal infections, including some community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections. It is also effective against aerobic and anaerobic streptococci (except enterococci). It inhibits bacterial growth, possibly by blocking dissociation of peptidyl t-RNA from ribosomes, causing RNA-dependent protein synthesis to arrest.
Linezolid (Zyvox)
Linezolid prevents the formation of functional 70S initiation complex, which is essential for the bacterial translation process. It is bacteriostatic against enterococci and staphylococci, including MRSA and CA-MRSA. Linezolid is bactericidal against most strains of streptococci.
The FDA warns against the concurrent use of linezolid with serotonergic psychiatric drugs, unless indicated for life-threatening or urgent conditions. Linezolid may increase serotonin CNS levels as a result of MAO-A inhibition, increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. [84]
Tigecycline (Tygacil)
Tigecycline is a glycylcycline antibiotic that is structurally similar to tetracycline antibiotics. It inhibits bacterial protein translation by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit and blocks entry of amino-acyl tRNA molecules in the ribosome A site. It is indicated for complicated skin and skin-structure infections caused by E coli, E faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible isolates only), S aureus (methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant isolates), S agalactiae, S anginosus group (includes S anginosus, S intermedius, and S constellatus), S pyogenes, and B fragilis.
Vancomycin
Vancomycin is indicated for patients who cannot receive or who have not responded to penicillins and cephalosporins or have infections with resistant staphylococci, including CA-MRSA and MRSA. To avoid toxicity, the current recommendation is to assay vancomycin trough levels after the fourth dose, drawn a half hour before the next dosing. Use creatinine clearance to adjust the dose in patients with renal impairment.
Daptomycin (Cubicin)
Daptomycin binds to bacterial membranes and causes rapid membrane potential depolarization, thereby inhibiting protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis and ultimately causing cell death. It is indicated to treat complicated skin and skin-structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains), S pyogenes, S agalactiae, S dysgalactiae, and E faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible strains only). Monitoring for muscle inflammation by monitoring creatinine phosphokinase levels is recommended.
Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra DS)
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole inhibits bacterial growth by inhibiting the synthesis of dihydrofolic acid. It may be considered an alternative to vancomycin in some cases of MRSA infection, especially CA-MRSA.
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Metronidazole is an imidazole ring-based antibiotic that is active against various anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. It is used in combination with other antimicrobial agents.
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Mild cellulitis with a fine lacelike pattern of erythema. This lesion was only slightly warm and caused minimal pain, which is typical for the initial presentation of mild cellulitis.
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Swelling seen in cellulitis involving the hand. In a situation with hand cellulitis, always rule out deep infection by imaging studies or by obtaining surgical consultation.
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Severe cellulitis of the leg in a woman aged 80 years. The cellulitis developed beneath a cast and was painful and warm to the touch. Significant erythema is evident. The margins are irregular but not raised. An ulcerated area is visible in the center of the photograph.
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Burns complicated by cellulitis. The larger lesion is a second-degree burn (left), and the smaller lesion is a first-degree burn (right), each with an expanding zone of erythema consistent with cellulitis.
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Cellulitis due to documented Vibrio vulnificus infection. (Image courtesy of Kepler Davis.)
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A case of cellulitis without associated purulence in an infant. Note the presence of lymphedema, a risk factor for cellulitis.(Photo courtesy of Amy Williams.)
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Patient with cellulitis of the left ankle. This cellulitis was caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). (Photo courtesy of Texas Dept. of Public Health.)
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Abscess and associated cellulitis caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). (Photo courtesy of Texas Dept. of Public Health.)
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Guidelines for the management of patients who require hospitalization for cellulitis or cutaneous abscess. AFB = acid-fast bacilli; BID = twice daily; CRP = C reactive protein; CT = computed tomography scanning; DS = double strength; DM = diabetes mellitus; ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate; ESRD = end-stage renal disease; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus; ICU = intensive care unit; I&D = incision and drainage; ID = infectious disease; IDU = injection drug user; IV = intravenous; LRINEC = Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; MSRA = methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; NSAIDS = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; PO = by mouth; SSTI = skin and soft-tissue infections; TID = 3 times daily. Adapted from Jenkins TC, Knepper BC, Sabel AL, et al. Decreased antibiotic utilization after implementation of a guideline for inpatient cellulitis and cutaneous abscess. Arch Intern Med. 2011;171(12):1072-9.
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A male patient with orbital cellulitis with proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, and edema and erythema of the eyelids. The patient also exhibited pain on eye movement, fever, headache, and malaise.
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A male patient with orbital cellulitis with proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, and edema and erythema of the eyelids. The patient also exhibited chemosis and resistance to retropulsion of the globe.
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Gross photograph of complicated cellulitis. Instead of the presence of yellow fat, the tissue is hemorrhagic and necrotic.
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Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, high power. This image shows deeper subcutaneous tissue involved in a case of cellulitis, with acute inflammatory cells and fat necrosis.
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Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, high power. This image shows cellulitis caused by herpes simplex virus, with the multinucleated organism in the center of the picture.
