Burn wound infection.

Ninety-seven of 763 patients admitted to a burn center during a 3-year period had histologically confirmed bacterial or fungal burn wound invasion. Nine of these 97 patients survived and 88 died. Burn wound infection was the principal cause of death in 57 patients and was diagnosed perimortem in an additional 31 patients but was not judged to be the primary cause of death. Pseudomonas aeruginosa continues as the most frequent offending organism. The variety of mycotic and bacterial organisms identified, however, suggests that the compromise of the host is the critical factor, and not any particular microorganism. A variety of combinations of treatments are described: the selection of treatment depends upon the type and extent of infection.