What is an abscess and its causes

Abscess - a demarcated capsule collection of pus in a variety of tissues and organs. Causes of abscesses are the progression of the inflammatory process with boils (festering hair follicle), carbuncle (festering several hair follicles), lymphadenitis Lymphadenitis - when inflamed lymph nodes   (inflammation of the lymph nodes); microbial contamination subcutaneous tissue skin lesions (wounds, abrasions) and injecting drugs; transfer of pyogenic bacteria from the bloodstream, festering hematomas (bleeding into the tissue).

The main causative agent of purulent infection is Staphylococcus aureus (alone or in combination with certain other microorganisms).

As the abscess is formed and flows

In the initial period of formation of an abscess to the tissue site, where infiltrated infection, directs a large amount of blood, blood vessels dilate, the liquid part of blood (plasma) propotevaet through stacks of blood vessels into the surrounding tissue (phase of inflammation). To sites of inflammation rush of white blood cells, white blood cells that are the primary defenders against infection, they kill bacteria and release secret that melts the surrounding tissue, forming a cavity filled with pus (phase suppuration). Around the cavity with pus gradually formed capsule separates from the surrounding tissue abscess.

Abscesses usually end with the release of an independent autopsy and pus on the surface of the body, the hollow body (stomach, intestines), which leads to recovery. But the connection with the body surface abscess life can be insufficient, it results in incomplete emptying and abscess formation posts abscess cavity with the body surface or lumen of the hollow body (fistula). The fistula may be formed in the case, when the abscess cavity left, for example, pieces of bone. Breakthrough pus in the closed cavity (e.g., pleural cavity - the membrane covering the lungs) leads to the development of common purulent processes (pleurisy, and so on).

Signs of an abscess

When superficial subcutaneous tissue abscesses observed limited swelling, redness, fever and local dysfunction of that part of the body where there was an abscess. When probing the lesion can be detected fluctuation tissues or fluctuation, which is caused by accumulation of fluid in the abscess cavity. Often appearing and general signs of inflammation: fever, palpitations, weakness, malaise. Manifestations of abscesses located in the internal organs, have their own characteristics, related to the structure and function of the affected organ.

Signs of inflammation can be seen in the general analysis of blood: increase in the number of white blood cells (the body needs defenders against infection, and he actively produces them), acceleration of ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is also a sign of inflammation).

Diagnosis abscesses

Recognition superficial abscesses is not difficult, but the diagnosis of deep abscesses are always difficult and requires additional research methods: diagnostic puncture (puncture with pus taking on a study to determine the infectious agent and its sensitivity to antibiotics), X-ray and ultrasound.

Treatment

Small superficial abscesses are treated as outpatients. Under edema Prevention and treatment of edema - it is important to understand the root cause When has not yet formed an abscess, they are treated conservatively, without surgery: the place of the formation of an abscess applied dry heat, appointed physiotherapy, promotes the resorption of inflammation (eg, UHF), appointed by the antibiotics inside.

When an abscess has formed (as evidenced by the appearance of fluctuations), it is opened by means of one or more incisions under local anesthesia. Postoperatively, make dressing, Antibiotics Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future? .

Patients with large surface and deep abscesses are sent for treatment to a hospital where an autopsy is performed, followed by abscess drainage (drainage of fluid out of the wound) cavity.

In order to prevent the development of abscess be carefully treat the diseases that could lead to it: boils Boils and carbuncles - will warm compress , Carbuncles, lymphadenitis, purulent diseases of internal organs, and so on.

  Galina Romanenko

Antibiotics - Macrolides

Antibacterial drugs in this group for its range of action similar to penicillin, but better tolerated by patients, and can be used by patients who are allergic to penicillin. Antibiotics macrolide may be natural (they produce a variety of mushrooms), these include erythromycin and oleandomycin. Currently, a large widespread semi-synthetic macrolides, which are produced by a small change in the chemical structure of natural antibiotics of this group (roxithromycin, clarithromycin, and others).

In the treatment of patients with primary importance is the activity of macrolides against Gram-positive bacteria (bacteria that have a tight capsule and well kept Gram stain) and intracellular pathogens (mycoplasma, chlamydia, campylobacter, legionella). Macrolides are least toxic antibiotics.

The mechanism of action of erythromycin

Erythromycin - a natural macrolide antibiotic. The antibacterial action of erythromycin due to a violation of protein synthesis in bacteria. At therapeutic doses, it has a bacteriostatic effect, ie suspends reproduction of it sensitive pathogens. However, high doses against susceptible microorganisms bactericidal effect (kills pathogens). In addition to antibacterial activity of erythromycin have a mild anti-inflammatory activity.

Erythromycin is active against Gram-positive cocci, such as certain types of streptococci and staphylococci.

Erythromycin acts on pertussis This pest, pest whooping ... Diphtheria, morakselly, Legionella, Campylobacter, Listeria, spirochetes, chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma. Resistance to erythromycin-sensitive microorganisms develop quickly.

Some Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella and others), mycobacteria are naturally resistant to erythromycin.

Erythromycin is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood enters the tissues, then decomposed by the liver and excreted in the bile and urine.

Available erythromycin tablets for oral use, solution for injection, solution for external use in the form of ointments.

Indications and contraindications for use

Indications for use of erythromycin are infectious and inflammatory diseases caused by susceptible to erythromycin infectious agents (including those resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin)

• respiratory diseases and upper respiratory tract (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis, sinusitis);
• infectious diseases (diphtheria, scarlet fever, whooping cough, trachoma, brucellosis, Legionnaires' disease);
• inflammatory diseases of the biliary tract (cholecystitis, cholangitis);
• diseases, sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, syphilis Syphilis - punishment of Venus Chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis).

Topically (as a solution for external use, and ointment) erythromycin used for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the skin and mucous membranes, including the eyes. Topical solution lubricate the affected skin. The ointment is applied to the affected area, and in diseases of the eye for a lower eyelid. The dose, frequency and duration of use is determined individually.

If ingestion need to know that drugs that increase gastric acidity and acidic drinks destroy erythromycin. Erythromycin can not drink milk.

Erythromycin is contraindicated in hepatic dysfunction, hypersensitivity to macrolide antibiotics, pregnancy (crosses the placenta to the fetus), breastfeeding Breast-feeding: feed - and no nails!   (excreted in breast milk). With careful use of erythromycin in renal impairment.

Side effects

In the treatment of erythromycin may experience the following side effects:

• from the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms , Diarrhea, goiter; rarely - pseudomembranous enterocolitis (inflammation of the colon), the liver, inflammation of the pancreas;
• From the senses: hearing loss, tinnitus (with high doses), which disappear after drug withdrawal;
• on the part of the cardiovascular system: heart rate, cardiac conduction of impulses to the heart muscle;
• vaginal candidiasis and oral mucosa (thrush);
• Allergic reactions: skin rash, urticaria, rarely - anaphylactic shock.
• Local reactions: inflammation of the vein wall at the site of intravenous administration in.

Erythromycin is an antibiotic low toxic, the main drawback of which is addictive to it sensitive microflora.