Acute bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are among the most common reasons
for hospitalization of adults in the USA today. Cellulitis or SSTI can cause significant
morbidity and mortality. The 2014 IDSA guideline update for the management of skin and
soft tissue infections classified skin infections as purulent cellulitis (causative pathogen–
Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA) and nonpurulent cellulitis (causative pathogens
include Streptococcus). Understanding the key difference and categorization will allow a …

Acute bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are among the most common reasons
for hospitalization of adults in the USA today. Cellulitis or SSTI can cause significant
morbidity and mortality. The 2014 IDSA guideline update for the management of skin and
soft tissue infections classified skin infections as purulent cellulitis (causative pathogen-
Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA) and nonpurulent cellulitis (causative pathogens
include Streptococcus). Understanding the key difference and categorization will allow a …