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 Bacteria - The Bacteria page provides some background, classification and morphology of bacteria and points you to other research sites on their chemistry, structure and benefits.
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Information and pictures (beware) of the effects of the flesh eating bacteria called necrotizing fasciitis, when it might occur and links to survivors of the flesh eating bacteria.
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Necrotising fasciitis - the flesh eating bacteria
Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a bacterial infection. This bacteria attacks the soft tissue and the fascia, which is a
sheath of tissue covering the muscle. NF can occur in an extremity following a minor trauma, or after some other type
of opportunity for the bacteria to enter the body such as surgery.
The Group A Strep infection (flesh eating bacteria) is most common with minor trauma. A mixed bacterial infection is
often the cause after surgery.
It is known that people can develop NF after a C-section, after abdominal surgery, after scratching
a rash, after giving birth vaginally, from a tiny scratch, after bumping a leg with a golf bag, after a friendly punch
in the arm from a buddy, after a little cut on the finger, after a cut on the foot, after a rug burn, after having a
routine blood draw in a physical exam, after a broken arm, and after a broken leg, and even get flesh eating bacteria from no known trauma at all.
don't panic Mr Mainwaring
In order for someone to contract NF, the bacteria must be introduced into the body. This occurs either from direct
contact with someone carrying the bacteria, or because of the bacteria being carried by the person him or herself.
The conditions "have to be right" for flesh eating bacteria infection to occur.
Group A Strep is the same bacteria that causes strep throat. However, there are various strains of the bacteria, some
of which are more powerful than others (with stronger m-protein serotypes). If the right set of conditions are present,
this is when the necrotizing fasciitis occurs.
The "right" set of conditions for flesh eating bacteria are:
A person usually has to have a contusion, abrasion, cut, or opening in the skin in order to have the bacteria enter,
however, spontaneous cases where no apparent injury can be found, are also reported.
They have to come into contact with the bacteria, either through direct contact with a carrier, or because the flesh eating bacteria
is present on the person.
It usually is an invasive strain or serotype, of the strep.
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The effects
The name "flesh-eating-bacteria" is a little sensational, but essentially, this is what the bacteria appears to do. It
gets into the body, quickly reproduces, and gives off toxins and enzymes that destroy the soft tissue and fascia, which
quickly becomes gangrenous (dead). This gangrenous tissue must be surgically removed to save the life of the patient.
The flesh eating bacteria also stealthily hides itself from the body's innate immune system, allowing it to spread rapidly along
tissue planes. NF causes excruciating pain, dangerously low blood pressure, confusion, high fever, and severe
dehydration due to the toxins poisoning the body. Unfortunately, the flesh eating bacteria NF sometimes occurs beneath the skin with few
symptoms to explain the victim's symptoms. This results in a great many cases of misdiagnosis.
The most relevant links we could find, placed here free
 National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation (NNFF)
- the story of Cassi Moore an NF survivor. www.nnff.org
Dr Mirkin
- an article about the Flesh Eating bacteria. www.drmirkin.com
eMedicine
- Necrotizing Fasciitis : Article by Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH with very graphic pictures. www.emedicine.com
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Site written by Steve Dickson