Absssi

ABSSI is the acronym for "Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections". ABSSI is a bacterial infection of the skin and associated tissues. The term includes the traditional term "pyoderma" with the respective clinical pictures.

ABSSSI (pyoderma) are common and include a variety of conditions with varying degrees of severity. Increased antimicrobial resistance in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pose a growing problem in the treatment of these infections.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), uncomplicated ABSSI includes simple abscesses, boils and uncomplicated erysipelas (cellulitis),

The complicated category (cSSSIs) includes infections that either affect deeper soft tissue with or without surgical intervention or infections at sites that are anatomically unfavourable (e.g. intertriginous sites) where the risk of anaerobic or Gram-negative pathogen involvement is higher.

1. Shah M et al (2011) Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections: current perspective. Indian J Dermatol 56: 510-512.