Plastic Surgery Key

Histology: A skin biopsy of a vesicle shows an intraepidermal blister that forms via ballooning degeneration of the keratinocytes. There is a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis. Multinucleated giant…

Pathogenesis: Syphilis is caused by the spirochete, T. pallidum pallidum. This bacteria is highly infective and is predominantly spread by sexual contact and by transmission from an infected mother to…

Unique forms of syphilis that do not fit neatly into one of the categories already described include neurosyphilis, congenital syphilis, and late syphilis. Involvement of the CNS by T. pallidum…

Primary syphilis is marked by a nonpainful ulceration that begins as a red papule and ulcerates over a period of a few days to weeks. The average time to onset…

Treatment: Impetigo can be treated with topical therapy against S. aureus and streptococcal species. Mupirocin is one such topical agent that is highly effective. The other forms of infection need…

Folliculitis can lead to furuncles (boils) or carbuncles (large furuncles). However, most furuncles do not develop from a preexisting folliculitis. The furuncle is a deep-seated, red, inflamed, tender nodule. Furuncles…

Crusted or Norwegian scabies is a rare form of scabies seen in immunosuppressed individuals. The crusted lesions represent the actions of hundreds to thousands of scabies mites. Patients are often…

Treatment: Treatment requires prompt recognition of symptoms and immediate intravenous antibiotic therapy. Any close contacts of the patient should be screened for evidence of disease and given prophylactic oral therapy…

Pathogenesis: C. trachomatis is a gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium. It is unique in that it has no ability, or only limited ability, to produce its own adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy…

Pediculosis pubis (pubic lice infestation) is a commonly acquired sexually transmitted disease. The pubic louse, Phthirus pubis, is structurally different from the body or head louse and can easily be…