Necrotizing fasciitis pathophysiology
|
Necrotizing fasciitis Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Necrotizing fasciitis pathophysiology On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Necrotizing fasciitis pathophysiology |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Necrotizing fasciitis pathophysiology |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yamuna Kondapally, M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
Pathophysiology
“Flesh-eating bacteria” is a misnomer, as the bacteria do not actually eat the tissue. They cause the destruction of skin and muscle by releasing toxins (virulence factors). These include streptococcal pyogenic exotoxins and other virulence factors. S. pyogenes produces an exotoxin known as a superantigen. This toxin is capable of activating T-cells non-specifically. This causes the over-production of cytokines that over-stimulate macrophages. The macrophages cause the actual tissue damage by releasing oxygen free radicals that are normally intended to destroy bacteria but are capable of damaging nearly any macromolecule they contact in the body.