ABSTRACT
Introduction Infections of the skin and soft tissues include a wide range of clinical situations and organisms (247). Many of these infections arise following a breach of the skin, emphasizing the importance of this natural barrier. Once the skin is breached, organisms can enter the deeper soft tissue. Any surgical incision compromises the barrier, and wound infections are an important entity in hospital acquired infection. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, and group A streptococcus are important pathogens here. The bite of a dog or cat can introduce members of the oral flora of these animals such as Pasteurella multocida and Eikinella corrodens, and may result in serious local and systemic infection.
