Fast Five Quiz: Staphylococcal Infections

In individuals with bullous impetigo, lesions typically appear on intact skin, typically the face, but may secondarily invade preexisting lesions (eg, eczema) to cause generalized lesions. There is minimal or no surrounding erythema and no regional lymphadenopathy.

Nonbullous impetigo most commonly affects the face and extremities. The palms and soles are spared. Nonbullous impetigo lesions are usually asymptomatic, with occasional pruritus. Little or no surrounding erythema or edema is present. Regional adenopathy is common. Patients do not have a sore throat.

Individuals with impetigo frequently recall exposure to a person who is a known carrier of S aureus or streptococcal organisms, has a pyoderma, or has a skin condition (eg, atopic dermatitis) that predisposes that individual to be an S aureus or streptococcal carrier. Clusters in families and outbreaks in institutions are occasionally reported. Hot and humid weather, participation in contact sports, crowded living conditions, poor personal hygiene, and an unhygienic work environment encourage contamination of the skin by pathogenic bacteria that can cause impetigo. Such conditions as HIV infection, posttransplantation, diabetes mellitus, hemodialysis, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or systemic corticosteroid treatment increase susceptibility.

Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Michael Stuart Bronze. Fast Five Quiz: Staphylococcal Infections - Medscape - Sep 08, 2021.

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