Polymicrobial Necrotizing Fasciitis – A Fatal Outcome following Motor Vehicle Accident

Authors

  • Vinod Ashok Chaudhari
  • Arpan Kumar Pan
  • Ashok N

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i2.19197

Keywords:

Necrotizing Fasciitis, Polymicrobial, Motor Vehicle Accident, Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci, Candida Albicans.

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon skin infection characterized by rapidly progressing, extensive skin necrosis
involving the soft tissues and superficial fascia. It begins with non-specific local cutaneous signs, posing a
diagnostic difficulty for the clinicians, evolving into life-threatening systemic toxicity. Trauma is more often
known to be a causal infective etiology. The presence of underlying comorbidities has been observed in cases
of necrotizing fasciitis. Various microorganisms, including a mix of anaerobes and aerobes, marine creatures
like vibrio, or even fungi, can cause necrotizing fasciitis. Thus, necrotizing fasciitis may be polymicrobial or
monomicrobial. We report a case of an 80-year-old pillion rider of a motorbike involved in a road traffic accident.
The injury sustained resulted in an uncommon complication of polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis, causing the
individual’s death. The microbial invasion of the skin is considered to release toxins, damaging tissues and
causing necrosis. Coagulase-negative staphylococci is a common human skin aerobic, gram-positive coccus. It
has shown the propensity to cause bacteremia. Candida, a known invasive organism, can play a potential role
in fasciitis. This inter-microbial synergism may stimulate an aggressive systemic inflammation leading to septic
shock

Author Biographies

  • Vinod Ashok Chaudhari

    Additional Professor.  Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry

  • Arpan Kumar Pan

    Junior Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry

  • Ashok N

    Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR,
    Chennai, India,

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Published

2023-04-05

How to Cite

Polymicrobial Necrotizing Fasciitis – A Fatal Outcome following Motor Vehicle Accident. (2023). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 17(2), 164-169. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i2.19197