Bacteriology of necrotizing fasciitis: a review of 58 cases.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a relatively rare soft tissue infection that is characterized by rapidly widespread necrosis of the fascia and subcutaneous tissue. Fifty-eight cases were reviewed over a 5.5-year period. The majority of wound cultures were polymicrobial and single culture rate was 18.6%. The facultative organisms were most frequently recovered. The most frequently discovered bacteria were E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and group D enterococcus. The overall mortality rate was 48.3%. Early recognition, serial radical surgical debridement and strong and appropriate antibiotics were essential for survival.