Necrotizing Fasciitis

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF), commonly known as flesh-eating disease, is a rare and life-threatening soft-tissue infection characterized by the rapid necrosis of subcutaneous tissue and fascia. There are four subtypes of NF, each classified based on the causative microorganism, with NF types I and II accounting for ~70-80% and ~20-30% of cases, respectively. Differing only in clinical manifestations and speed of pathogenesis, the pathophysiology of all types of NF is similar. Bacteria invades subcutaneous tissue, proliferates, and releases endotoxins and exotoxins, leading to expanding tissue necrosis, toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and death in 15-45% of cases.