Risk factors of synchronous multifocal necrotizing fasciitis: a case control study in comparison with monofocal necrotizing fasciitis in Taiwan

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening deep soft tissue infection characterized by rapidly progressive necrosis of the fascia and the adjacent soft tissue. It is well known that monofocal necrotizing fasciitis (MONF) is typical of NF: the extremities are the most common site of infection [1]. The overall mortality rate has been estimated to be 21.9% [2, 3]. Synchronous multifocal necrotizing fasciitis (SMNF), the simultaneous development of NF in multiple noncontiguous sites, is rarely reported in the literature [4, 5]. We previously reported that SMNF has a mean mortality rate of 67%, much higher than that reported for MONF [6]. However, there are no reports that compare clinical outcomes of patients with SMNF to those of patients with MONF. Thus, we wanted to determine and clarify the differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes between patients with SMNF and those with MONF.

We reviewed the records of patients discharged from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, between January 2006 and January 2013 with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) NF diagnosis code of 72,886. The current study included 18 patients with SMNF from the previous case-series report [6] and was a further analysis of a case-control study to compare clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with SMNF to those of patients with MONF.

NF was defined by surgical findings: the presence of grayish necrotic soft tissue, loss of resistance of normally adherent fascia to gentle finger dissection, and the presence of pus with the foul odor of dishwater (Fig. 1). Histopathological tissue specimens were obtained to confirm the diagnoses. SMNF was defined as a multifocal presence of necrotizing fasciitis in different extremities on the initial visit. MONF was defined as the occurrence of necrotizing fasciitis in a single extremity. Exclusion criteria were: (1) necrotizing deep soft tissue infections involving the cervical region, the trunk, or the perineum, (2) negative bacterial cultures from the infected specimen, (3) comorbid infections (e.g., osteomyelitis, surgical wound infection), and (4) a preexisting chronic wound (e.g., diabetic foot ulcer and decubitus ulcer).

The treatment protocol included antibacterial therapy and surgical debridement. All patients underwent emergency surgery after they had been admitted if NF was suspected. Blood cultures were done in the Emergency Department before antibiotic therapy was started. During surgical debridement, multiple tissue samples were obtained from the necrosis of fascia and subcutaneous tissue for cultures of aerobic, anaerobic, fungal, and mycobacterial organisms. Surgical debridement was done every other day if progressive necrotic changes were combined with a deteriorating clinical presentation. Initial broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered and adjusted based on the results of blood cultures and tissue tests. Soft tissue reconstruction was done until the infected necrotic tissue was controlled and stabilized. All patients included in this study were followed-up for a minimum of 2 year.

This is the first study to compare the clinical presentation, microbiological characteristics, and outcomes of SMNF patients with those of MONF patients. Earlier studies have reported that from the onset of NF symptoms to seeking medical care was approximately 1–4 days [7, 8], but we found a mean of 1.7 days for SMNF patients, and a mean of 3.3 days for MONF patients. Additionally, SMNF patients had a higher incidence of septic shock at the initial visit. Therefore, more SMNF patients developed a hyperacute course with necrosis that rapidly progressed to systemic features of sepsis.

The current study indicated that ESRD and LC were independent risk factors for SMNF. The patients with ESRD or LC frequently have chronic cutaneous lesions on multiple extremities, e.g., vasculitis [9], pruritus acquired perforating dermatosis [10, 11], chronic ulceration [12], bullae disorders [10, 13], and bleeding purpura [13], which may serve as multiple entry ports on upper or lower extremities for bacterial invasion. In addition, our hospital is on the northern border of the Tropic of Cancer on the southwestern coast of Taiwan, where the local population makes a living by working in the commercial fishing industry or in aquaculture. Oyster farming comprises a large proportion of aquaculture in southwestern Taiwan. Vibrio species naturally occur in warm coastal areas and are plentiful in shellfish, especially in oysters [14, 15]. Furthermore, the highest prevalence rates of chronic viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and ESRD are in southwestern Taiwan [16]. Chronic liver diseases and ESRD increase the virulence of Vibrio spp. and are well known as risk factors for Vibrio soft tissue infections [17‐21]. Therefore, patients with ESRD or LC may be susceptible to multiple-site Vibrio infection if both hands or legs are exposed to aquaculture water or handling of shellfish or oyster.

The etiology of multifocal necrotizing fasciitis may be not only simultaneous inoculation into multiple extremities but also bacteremia spreading to other extremities. Immunocompromise increases the risk of bacteremia and the current study found that SMNF patients (89%) had a much higher prevalence of bacteremia than MONF patients (36%). Several case reports indicated that immunocompromised patients can so rapidly develop multifocal NF due to metastatic septic embolization before they arrive at hospital [22, 23], that synchronous multifocal involvement in NF will be considered when the patients present to the Emergency Department. We hypothesize that the estuary environment, pathogenic microorganisms, and host factors are the three main factors that contribute to SMNF infections.

Microbiologically, NF is categorized into three types: type I is a polymicrobial infection with aerobic and anaerobic bacteria; type II is a Gram-positive bacterial infection, including group A Streptococcus spp. and S. aureus; type III is a Gram-negative bacterial infection [24]. We found that type III infections (83%) were more frequently in SMNF patients, whereas type II infections (53%) were more common in MONF patients. One systematic review of necrotizing fasciitis involving extremities reported that S. aureus was the most commonly isolated, and then group A streptococcus, and, finally, other infrequently isolated aerobic and anaerobic pathogens [2]. Vibrio species was the most common single microbial cause (35%) of all our NF patients and was the overwhelming cause (74%) of SMNF. Staphylococcus aureus and group A β-hemolytic streptococcus (46%) were the other predominant causes of MONF while both (11%) rarely caused multifocal NF. Thus, empiric antibiotics therapy for NF in coastal regions must always include regimens that treat Vibrio species, especially for multifocal NF.

Our analysis of our patients’ laboratory data upon admission showed significant differences between patients with SMNF and patients with MONF. Patients with SMNF had a higher prevalence of bandemia, thrombocytopenia, and bacteremia. Bandemia implies a release of immature neutrophils into the blood, indicative of sepsis. Thrombocytopenia frequently occurs in patients with severe septicemia, and it has proved to be a strong predictor of organ failure and death [25, 26]. Therefore, the compared laboratory results might indicate that SMNF rapidly exhausts the immune system and leads to overwhelming sepsis.

We found that the total-case postoperative mortality rate of SMNF (68%) was significantly higher than that of MONF (14%). In further analysis of total-case mortality, 69% of all deaths with SMNF occurred within 7 days after fasciotomy while 72% of deaths with MONF occurred between the second and fourth week. One study reported that the estimated SMNF mortality rate was 62.4% in South Korea, and that a fasciotomy would not improve the survival rate in patients with more than two necrotic areas [27]. They also said that SMNF was more likely associated with a poor prognosis, and that it caused a high incidence of amputation in survivors. A large area of necrotic destruction of the epidermis, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and underlying muscles will increase the rate of morbidities like amputation. Therefore, patients with SMNF would present with higher and more immediate mortality and a poorer prognosis than would patients with MONF.

This study has some limitations. First, it was a retrospective case-control study. To minimize selection bias, we focused on patients with tissue-culture-positive NF of the extremities and excluded those with central NF and pre-existing diabetic and decubitus ulcers, which might have different etiologies and treatments from NF of the extremities. Central NF, which is associated with the neck and perineum, often arise from internal organ infections. Cervical NF has an odontogenic source of infection (or a peritonsillar abscess) [28]; perineal NF, Fournier’s gangrene has a urogenital origin of infection (or an anorectal abscess) [29]. Infectious complications of diabetic or decubitus ulcers frequently include pyomyositis or osteomyelitis. It is crucial to recognize the original infectious disease when treating central NF and diabetic or decubitus ulcers with a secondary infection. Second, despite our study having the largest sample of patients with SMNF in the literature (n = 19), the sample was still too small to allow us to make strong generalizations based on our data. Third, there was a lack of investigation of the efficacy of the adjunctive therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Adjuvant HBO therapy improves the bactericidal function of neutrophils, fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, which are important in infection control and wound healing [30]. In our institute, HBO was included in the treatment protocol for necrotizing fasciitis, and NF patients would undergo HBO therapy after surgical intervention [31]. However, our HBO chamber only allows for patients with stable vital signs. Most SMNF patients did not undergo HBO therapy because those patients with unstable hemodynamics and mechanical ventilation died a few days after emergent surgical fasciotomy. IVIG contains antibodies that neutralize streptococcal exotoxin superantigens and is considered as adjuvant therapy in NF patients with streptococcal toxic shock syndromes [32]. Group A streptococcus was an infrequent pathogen of SMNF in this study; however, IVIG may be not sufficiently effective in the treatment of SMNF.

Almost all SMNF patients presented with more fulminant sepsis than did MONF patients at their initial visit. SMNF patients also had a more rapid onset of symptoms and a higher incidence of septic shock. ESRD and LC were independent risk factors for SMNF. Marine Vibrio species was predominantly isolated in SMNF, but S. aureus and GABHS were the major pathogens isolated in MONF. The incidence of SMNF was infrequent and accounted for 13% of all patients with NF of the extremities; however, the mortality rate of SMNF was 68%, significantly higher than the 14% mortality rate of MONF. Because SMNF is often lethal, patients with ESRD or LC are advised to avoid direct contact with seawater or fish. They should wear waterproof gloves, chest waders and boots when being exposed to seawater or processing fish [33]. Early recognition of SMNF without a misdiagnosis, sufficient resuscitation, immediate surgical treatment, and prompt antibiotic therapy are crucial for treating SMNF.