Stevens Dennis L., Bryant Amy E.
VA Medical Center, Infectious Diseases Section, Boise, ID
(group A ) is one of the most important bacterial causes of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) worldwide. In addition, no other pathogen causes as many diverse clinical entities as . Specifically, this organism causes infections in the superficial keratin layer (impetigo), the superficial epidermis (erysipelas), the subcutaneous tissue (cellulitis), the fascia (necrotizing fasciitis), or muscle (myositis and myonecrosis). It is also the etiologic agent of scarlet fever and Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (StrepTSS). Impetigo is a non-life-threatening infection, but can result in post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (AGN). Cellulitis and erysipelas can be mild or moderately severe, while necrotizing fasciitis, myonecrosis and StrepTSS are life-threatening. This chapter focuses on the clinical and epidemiological features of these infections, as well as treatment options, and includes a discussion of bacterial pathogenesis.
（A组）是全球皮肤和软组织感染（SSTIs）最重要的细菌病因之一。此外，没有其他病原体能引发如此多样的临床病症。具体而言，这种微生物会导致浅表角质层感染（脓疱病）、浅表表皮感染（丹毒）、皮下组织感染（蜂窝织炎）、筋膜感染（坏死性筋膜炎）或肌肉感染（肌炎和肌坏死）。它也是猩红热和链球菌中毒性休克综合征（StrepTSS）的病原体。脓疱病是一种不危及生命的感染，但可导致链球菌感染后急性肾小球肾炎（AGN）。蜂窝织炎和丹毒可能轻度或中度严重，而坏死性筋膜炎、肌坏死和StrepTSS则危及生命。本章重点介绍这些感染的临床和流行病学特征以及治疗选择，并讨论细菌发病机制。
