Necrotizing fasciitis—a disease of temperate and warm climates

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis is a distinct clinical entity. It is usually due to Streptococcus pyogenes but may occasionally be caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It needs to be considered in relationship to other infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes, in which the clinical disease that occurs may be associated with the depth of inoculation of the coccus. Mild cases have been identified that are self-limiting as well as serious cases which would have succumbed without surgical debridement. It is likely that some cases of necrotic tropical ulcer are due to necrotizing fasciitis.