Soft tissue and prosthetic device infections

Soft tissue infections can occur in any host when a microorganism is introduced accidentally into these tissues. Prostheses and medical devices predispose the patient to infections due to their foreign body effects that disrupt anatomic integrity and favor microbial entry, colonization, or attachment to the device in all hosts, whether they are immunocompromised or not. The interaction between the host and the microorganism determines whether infection takes place, its course, and its outcome. At the opposite ends of this delicate balance, rare but highly virulent microorganisms, such as Yersinia pestis , Bacillus anthracis , and Francisella tularensis , can strike any host, while common, minimally virulent microbes may infect only the most vulnerable hosts, such as those with immature or defective immune functions or those with prostheses or medical devices. Intravascular catheters provide a window to the bloodstream or to a target organ (such as the heart), where hemodynamics or organ functions may be measured and therapeutic drugs, nutrients, and radiological contrast materials are delivered. Patients with prosthetic devices, cancer, or other immune defects or weakness are prone to various skin and soft tissue infections.