Cellulitis medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mugilan Poongkunran M.B.B.S [2]

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Overview

The treatment for cellulitis consists of oral or intravenous antibiotics. The usual drug of choice are beta-lactam antibiotics, as most of the cases of cellulitis are caused either by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus. Bed rest and elevation of the affected limbs are recommended as adjuvant therapy. In patients with edema of the extremities, compressive stockings may be beneficial in treating the fluid accumulation. If a small abscess is surrounding the affected tissue, it can be treated with a simple incision and drainage of the fluid.

Empiric TherapyAdapted from Clinical Practice Guidelines CID 2011 and Guidelines for Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections CID 2005

• Empiric therapy would depend on the clinical presentation of the cellulitis.
  • Non-purulent cellulitis refers to the infection without purulent drainage or exudate and not associated with an abscess.
  • Purulent cellulitis is associated with purulent drainage or exudate in the absence of a drainable abscess, and it is associated to Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Complicated cellulitis refers to a deeper soft-tissue infection and/or the association with necrotizing fasciitis, septic arthritis, or osteomyelitis.

• For patients with purulent cellulitis, cultures are recommended and empirical therapy for Community Associated-MRSA (CA-MRSA) should be started.
• For patients with non-purulent cellulitis, empirical therapy for β-hemolytic streptococci should be started; if the patient does not respond to B-lactam antibiotics, empirical coverage for CA-MRSA should be initiated.
• The duration of the therapy should be individualized for the clinical response of each patient; 5-10 days is usually recommended.
• The treatment of cellulitis in neonates usually requires hospitalization and parenteral therapy. Oral therapy is given for completion of the treatment when the pathogen is unknown.

• The optimal dose should be based on determination of serum concentrations and patients with renal insufficiency may require dose adjustment in case of cephalosporins.
• Clindamycin is an alternate therapy for patients at risk of severe hypersensitivity reaction to penicillins and cephalosporins.
• Doxycycline is not recommended for children <8 years of age.

• Studies have shown an increase in treatment failure with TMP-SMX compared to other agents for cellulitis in children, reflecting TMP-SMX less action against Group A streptococcus.

▸ Click on the following categories to expand treatment regimens.

Non-Purulent Cellulitis   ▸  Adults   ▸  Children age >28 days Purulent Cellulitis   ▸  Adults   ▸  Children age >28 days Complicated Cellulitis†   ▸  Adults   ▸  Children age >28 days

Non-Purulent Cellulitis - Adults Preferred Regimen ▸ Cephalexin 500 mg PO q6h x5-10 days OR ▸ Dicloxacillin 500 mg PO q6h x5-10 days OR ▸Clindamycin 300-450 mg PO q8h OR ▸ Amoxicillin 500 mg PO q8h OR ▸ TMP-SMX 80-160 mg/400-800 mg PO q12h OR ▸Doxycycline 100 mg PO q12h OR ▸ Linezolid 600 mg PO q12h Non-Purulent Cellulitis - Children Preferred Regimen ▸ Cephalexin 25 mg/kg/day PO divided q6h x 5-10 days OR ▸ Dicloxacillin 25 mg/kg/day PO divided q6h x 5-10 days OR ▸ Clindamycin 10-13 mg/kg IV q6-8h (max:40 mg/kg/day) OR ▸ TMP-SMX 4-6 mg/kg PO q12h (TMP component) OR ▸Doxycycline¶ 2 mg/kg PO q12h† OR ▸ Linezolid 10 mg/kg PO q8h (max: 600mg/dose) ¶ Not recommended for children < 8 years of age † For children ≤45 kg. Children >45 kg receive adult dosing. Purulent Cellulitis - Adults Preferred Regimen ▸ Linezolid 600 mg PO q12h OR ▸ Clindamycin 300 - 450 mg PO q8h OR ▸ Minocycline 200 mg PO 1 dose, then 100 mg PO q12h OR ▸ Doxycycline 100 mg PO q12h OR ▸ TMP-SMX 80-160 mg/400-800 mg PO q12h Purulent Cellulitis - Children Preferred Regimen ▸ Linezolid 10 mg/kg PO q8h (max: 600mg/dose) OR ▸ Clindamycin 10-13 mg/kg IV q6-8h (max:40 mg/kg/day) OR ▸ Minocycline 4 mg/kg PO 1 dose, then2 mg/kg/dose PO q12h OR ▸ Doxycycline¶ 2 mg/kg PO q12h† OR ▸ TMP-SMX 4-6 mg/kg PO q12h (TMP component) ¶ Not recommended for children < 8 years of age † For children ≤45 kg. Children >45 kg receive adult dosing. Complicated Cellulitis - Adults Preferred Regimen ▸ Vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q8-12h OR ▸ Linezolid 600 mg IV/PO q12h OR ▸ Daptomycin 4mg/kg IV q24h OR ▸ Telavancin 10mg/kg IV q24h Alternative Regimen ▸ Clindamycin 600 mg IV/PO q8h Complicated Cellulitis - Children Preferred Regimen ▸ Vancomycin 15 mg/kg IV q6h OR ▸ Linezolid 10 mg/kg IV/PO q8h (max: 600mg/dose) Alternative Regimen ▸ Clindamycin 10-13 mg/kg IV/PO q6-8h (max:40 mg/kg/day)

Special Considerations Adapted from N Engl J Med 2004;350:904-12.

• For the certain anatomical locations (buccal, facial and periorbital) a specific therapy should be given due to the predisposition of certain bacteria.
• For certain conditions, such as salt or fresh water wound exposure, or if the patient is a butcher, fisherman or veterinarian, an additional antibiotic therapy should be added to the usual regimen in order to cover specific pathogens associated to those circumstances.

▸ Click on the following categories to expand treatment regimens.

Special Considerations   ▸  Buccal   ▸  Facial   ▸  Orbital   ▸  Sal Water Wound Exposure   ▸  Fresh Water Wound Exposure   ▸  Butcher, Fisherman, Veterinarian

Buccal Cellulitis (H. influenzae) Preferred Regimen ▸ Ceftriaxone 1-2 g IV q24h Alternative Regimen ▸ Meropenem 0.5-1 g IV q8h (infuse over 15-30 min or in bolus over 3-5 min) OR ▸ Imipenem/cilastatin 250-1000 mg IV (max: 50mg/kg/day) Adapted from N Engl J Med 2004;350:904-12. Orbital Cellulitis Preferred Regimen 1 ▸ Vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q8-12h (trough 15—20 μg/mL) PLUS ▸ Ceftriaxone 2g IV q24h PLUS ▸ Metronidazole 1g IV q12h Preferred Regimen 2 ▸ Vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q8-12h (trough 15—20 μg/mL) PLUS ▸ Piperacillin-tazobactam 4.5g IV q8h Alternative Regimen (if penicillin or cephalosporin allergic) ▸ Vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q8-12h (trough 15—20 μg/mL) PLUS ▸ Levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h Facial Cellulitis Preferred Regimen ▸ Vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q8-12h (trough 15—20 μg/mL) Alternative Regimen ▸ Daptomycin 4 mg/kg IV q24h OR ▸ Linezolid 600mg IV q12h Salt Water Wound Exposure (Vibrio vulnificus) Preferred Regimen ▸ Doxycycline 200 mg IV initial dose, then 50-100 mg IV q12h Alternative Regimen ▸ Cefotaxime 1-2 g IV/IM q8-12 (up to 2 g q4-6h) OR ▸ Ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV q8-12h x 7-14 days OR ▸ Ciprofloxacin 500-750 mg PO q8-12h x 7-14 days Fresh Water Wound Exposure (Aeromonas spp) Preferred Regimen ▸ Ciprofloxacin 400mg IV q12h OR ▸ Ceftazidime 0.5 -2 g IV q8h PLUS ▸ Gentamicin 3-5 mg/kg/day IV/IM divided q6-8h or 4-7 mg/kg IV q24h Alternative Regimen ▸ Meropenem 0.5-1 g IV q8h (infuse over 15-30 min or in bolus over 3-5 min) OR ▸ Imipenem/cilastatin 250-1000 mg IV (max: 50mg/kg/day) Butcher, Fisherman, Veterinarian (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae) Preferred Regimen ▸ Amoxicillin 500 mg PO q8hr Alternative Regimen ▸ Cefotaxime 1-2 g IV/IM q8-12 (up to 2 g q4-6h) OR ▸ Ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV q8-12h x 7-14 days OR ▸ Ciprofloxacin 500-750 mg PO q8-12h x 7-14 days OR ▸ Imipenem-cilastatin 250-1000 mg IV (max: 50mg/kg/day)

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

• Click here for a detailed management on diabetic foot ulcer.

Empiric Therapy

▸ Click on the following categories to expand treatment regimens.

Uninfected (Grade 1)   ▸  No Evidence of Infection     Mild (Grade 2)   ▸  Acute Infection Without Recent Antibiotic Use   ▸  High Risk for MRSA     Moderate to Severe (Grade 3–4)   ▸  Chronic Infection or Recent Antibiotic Use   ▸  High Risk for MRSA   ▸  High Risk for Pseudomonas aureuginosa   ▸  Polymicrobial Infection

Uninfected Wound, No Evidence of Infection ▸ Uninfected wounds should be managed with appropriate wound care. ▸ Antibiotic therapy is not recommended. Mild DFI, Acute Infection Without Recent Antibiotic Use Preferred Regimen ▸ Dicloxacillin 125–250 mg PO qid OR ▸ Clindamycin 150–300 mg PO qid † OR ▸ Cephalexin 500 mg PO qid OR ▸ Levofloxacin 750 mg PO qd OR ▸ Amoxicillin-Clavulanate 500 mg PO bid (or 250 mg PO tid) ‡ † Usually active against community-associated MRSA, but check macrolide sensitivity and consider ordering a D-test before using for MRSA. ‡ Relatively broad-spectrum oral agent that includes anaerobic coverage. Mild DFI, High Risk for MRSA Preferred Regimen ▸ Doxycycline 100 mg PO q12h † OR ▸ TMP–SMX 80-160 mg/400-800 mg PO q12h † † Active against many MRSA & some gram-negatives; uncertain against streptococci. Moderate to Severe DFI, Chronic Infection or Recent Antibiotic Use Preferred Regimen ▸ Levofloxacin 750 mg IV/PO q24h OR ▸ Cefoxitin 1 g IV q4h (or 2 g IV q6–8h) OR ▸ Ceftriaxone 1–2 g/day IV/IM q12–24h OR ▸ Ampicillin–Sulbactam 1.5–3 g IV/IM q6h OR ▸ Moxifloxacin 400 mg IV/PO q24h OR ▸ Ertapenem 1 g IV/IM q24h OR ▸ Tigecycline 100 mg IV, then 50 mg IV q12h † OR ▸ Imipenem–Cilastatin 0.5–1 g IV q6–8h ‡ Alternative Regimen ▸ Levofloxacin 750 mg IV/PO q24h OR ▸ Ciprofloxacin 600–1200 mg/day IV q6–12h OR ▸ Ciprofloxacin 1200–2700 mg IV q6–12h (for more severe cases) PLUS ▸ Clindamycin 150–300 mg PO qid † Active against MRSA. ‡ Not active against MRSA; consider when ESBL-producing pathogens suspected. Moderate to Severe DFI, High Risk for MRSA Preferred Regimen ▸ Linezolid 600 mg IV/PO q12h OR ▸ Daptomycin 4 mg/kg IV q24h OR ▸ Vancomycin 15–20 mg/kg IV q8–12h (trough: 10–20 mg/L) Moderate to Severe DFI, High Risk for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Preferred Regimen ▸ Piperacillin–Tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6–8h Moderate to Severe DFI, Polymicrobial Infection Preferred Regimen ▸ Vancomycin 15–20 mg/kg IV q8–12h (trough: 10–20 mg/L) OR ▸ Linezolid 600 mg IV/PO q12h OR ▸ Daptomycin 4 mg/kg IV q24h PLUS ▸ Piperacillin–Tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6–8h OR ▸ Imipenem–Cilastatin 0.5–1 g IV q6–8h OR ▸ Ertapenem 1 g IV/IM q24h OR ▸ Meropenem 1 g IV q8h Alternative Regimen ▸ Vancomycin 15–20 mg/kg IV q8–12h (trough: 10–20 mg/L) OR ▸ Linezolid 600 mg IV/PO q12h OR ▸ Daptomycin 4 mg/kg IV q24h PLUS ▸ Ceftazidime 2 g IV q8h OR ▸ Cefepime 2 g IV q8h OR ▸ Aztreonam 2 g IV q6–8h PLUS ▸ Metronidazole 15 mg/kg IV, then 7.5 mg/kg IV q6h

Non-Antibiotic Therapy

• Elevation of the affected area facilitates gravity drainage of edema and inflammatory substances. Compressive stockings and diuretic therapy may help patients with edema.
• The skin should be sufficiently hydrated to avoid dryness and cracking without maceration.