Bacteriological Study of Paronychia in Military Personnel.
- Author:
Sang Min LEE
1
;
Myoung Shin KIM
;
Nark Kyoung RHO
;
Chong Hyun WON
;
Sung Eun CHANG
;
Mi Woo LEE
;
Jee Ho CHOI
;
Kee Chan MOON
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. chwon98@chol.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Paronychia
- MeSH:
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
Bacteria;
Bacteria, Aerobic;
Bandages;
Clindamycin;
Communicable Diseases;
Fingers;
Humans;
Military Personnel;
Nails;
Paronychia;
Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
Retrospective Studies;
Staphylococcus;
Staphylococcus aureus;
Streptococcus pyogenes;
Tertiary Care Centers;
Toes;
Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
- From:Korean Journal of Medical Mycology
2012;17(3):163-167
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Paronychia is a common infectious disease affecting fingernails and toenails. Although bacterial and fungal infections as well as mechanical trauma may play roles in the pathogenesis of this disease, there are few bacteriological studies about paronychia in military personnel. OBJECTIVE: To identify the causative bacteria of paronychia in military personnel. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the microbiological results of 145 patients who visited a tertiary referral hospital for Korean soldiers from August 2004 to October 2006. RESULTS: Twenty-eight different types of aerobic bacteria were identified, with the most common being Staphylococcus aureus (38.0%), Streptococcus pyogenes (7.2%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.4%). Staphylococcus aureus was identified mostly in finger and toe paronychial lesions and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was recovered commonly from toe paronychial lesions. All cases of paronychia were controlled by the combination of antiseptic dressing, topical antibacterial ointment, oral antibiotics, and antimycotic agents. CONCLUSION: The types of bacteria that most commonly caused paronychia in military personnel were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, the commonly used oral antibiotics for paronychia, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, clindamycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, are good choices in the treatment of paronychia in military personnel.
