Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Diagnosis and Therapy

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) can be seen in a variety of clinical features, from mild infection to life-threatening serious necrotizing infections. Etiology of SSTIs vary according to geographical characteristics, patient's immunity, and risk factors. In recent years, complicated SSTIs are more frequent due to increase in the elderly and immunosuppressed patient population. Management of these infections becomes more difficult with the increase of resistant microorganisms. In this review article, SSTIs, both complicated and non-complicated, were classified on the basis of clinical view and patient characteristics, and recent changes related to diagnosis and treatment were reviewed in accordance with the recommendations of international guidelines. In addition, infectious diseases such as anthrax and tularemia were briefly outlined, of which epidemiological studies in Turkey are performed.