Secondarily Infected Traumatic Lesions
Bacterial infections of the skin may develop following any acute injury, such as surgical wounds, animal bites, burns, lacerations and abrasions. When compromised skin becomes infected by normal skin flora, it is known as a secondarily infected traumatic lesion. Bacteria frequently infecting wounds of this type include streptococci, staphylococci, diphtheroids, Propionibacterium and gram-negative bacteria. Patients at the highest risk of developing chronic, unhealing wounds include those with diabetes, obesity, malnutrition, advanced age, or drug use (eg, chemotherapy or radiation).
Secondarily infected traumatic lesions that are not healing and exhibit only local signs of infection may be treated with topical agents. Topical antibiotics are the treatment of choice for postoperative wound care. Topical antibiotics, such as mupirocin, bacitracin and silver sulfadiazine, decrease infection rates and enhance wound healing.
