Wound: group A Streptococcus – Shipped August 14, 2017
HISTORY
A simulated wound swab collected from a 42 year old female IV drug user with arm wound and a suspected necrotizing fasciitis diagnosis was sent to category A and B laboratories.
Participants were instructed to consider the sample as a tissue sample, and were expected to identify and report group A streptococci, and perform susceptibility testing.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M172-3
- Optimal samples in the investigation of necrotizing fasciitis are biopsies of skin, deep tissue and fascia from the suspected area, along with blood cultures.
- Treatment of choice is penicillin G and clindamycin, both administered by I.V.
