Necrotizing Fasciitis (Flesh-Eating Disease)

Abstract

Since the mid-1980s, concern has grown that invasive group A Streptococci (GAS) has been increasing in incidence and severity. Invasive infections caused by group A Streptococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes include sepsis, arthritis, pneumonia, meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis (NF) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). GAS also causes noninvasive suppurative disease as pharyngitis and otitis media, and nonsuppurative post streptococcal sequelae (acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis [1].