Perianal cellulitis

Perianal cellulitis
Other namesPerianitis, Perianal streptococcal dermatitis, Perianal dermatitis,[1] Streptococcal anitis,[1] Streptococcal perianitis[1]
SpecialtyDermatology Edit this on Wikidata
SymptomsRedness, swelling, itching, pain
DurationTreatment ranges from 14 to 21 days
CausesGroup A Streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) (most common)

Staphylococcus aureus

Group B Streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae)
Diagnostic methodBacterial culture
Differential diagnosisCandidiasis, irritant diaper dermatitis, pinworm infestation, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, seborrheic dermatitis, or even sexual abuse.

Perianal cellulitis, also known as perianitis or perianal streptococcal dermatitis, is a bacterial infection affecting the lower layers of the skin (cellulitis) around the anus.[1][2][3] It presents as bright redness in the skin and can be accompanied by pain, difficulty defecating, itching, and bleeding.[4][1] This disease is considered a complicated skin and soft tissue infection (cSSTI) because of the involvement of the deeper soft tissues.[5]

Perianal cellulitis is most commonly caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes), which resides normally ("in small numbers") in the human throat and on the human skin.[6][7] Other less common causes may include infection with group B beta-hemolytic streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae), a bacterium found in the human vagina of some, or Staphylococcus aureus, a common component of the bacterial community in the human nose and/or skin.[8][7]

Perianal cellulitis occurs mainly in male children between six months and 10 years of age, however, there are documented cases of perianal cellulitis in adults as well.[8] Oral antibiotics are the first line treatment for perianal cellulitis and may be used in combination with topical antibiotics.[1] Since the infection occurs within the deeper layers of skin, using a topical treatment by itself may not be effective.[1] In about 20% of cases, recurrence of perianal streptococcal dermatitis infection occurs within 3.5 months.[1] Routine hygiene practices should also be encouraged in children and adults in order to reduce the risk of recurrent infection.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Gualtieri R, Bronz G, Bianchetti MG, Lava SA, Giuliano E, Milani GP, Jermini LM (June 2021). "Perianal streptococcal disease in childhood: systematic literature review". European Journal of Pediatrics. 180 (6): 1867–1874. doi:10.1007/s00431-021-03965-9. PMC 8105195. PMID 33532889.
  2. ^ Pennycook KM, McCready TA (2022). "Perianal Streptococcal Dermatitis". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31613443. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  3. ^ Rrapi R, Chand S, Kroshinsky D (July 2021). "Cellulitis: A Review of Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management". The Medical Clinics of North America. Dermatology. 105 (4): 723–735. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2021.04.009. PMID 34059247. S2CID 235267530.
  4. ^ Boull C, Soutor C, Hordinsky M (2022). "Chapter 11: Bacterial Infections". Clinical Dermatology: Diagnosis and Management of Common Disorders (2nd ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-1-264-25737-9.
  5. ^ Leong HN, Kurup A, Tan MY, Kwa AL, Liau KH, Wilcox MH (2018). "Management of complicated skin and soft tissue infections with a special focus on the role of newer antibiotics". Infection and Drug Resistance. 11: 1959–1974. doi:10.2147/IDR.S172366. PMC 6208867. PMID 30464538.
  6. ^ Levinson, Warren; Chin-Hong, Peter; Joyce, Elizabeth A.; Nussbaum, Jesse; Schwartz, Brian (2022). "Summaries of Medically Important Bacteria". Review of Medical Microbiology & Immunology: A Guide to Clinical Infectious Diseases (17th ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-1-264-26708-8. OCLC 1286281364.
  7. ^ a b Levinson, Warren (2022). "Chapter 15: Gram-Positive Cocci". Review of medical microbiology & immunology : a guide to clinical infectious diseases. Peter Chin-Hong, Elizabeth A. Joyce, Jesse Nussbaum, Brian S. Schwartz (17 ed.). New York. ISBN 9781264267088. OCLC 1286281364.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :32 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).