Do different types of necrotizing fasciitis exist?
Variations of necrotizing fasciitis are placed by some investigators into three general groups, roughly based on the genera of organisms causing the infection and some clinical findings that unfortunately vary from patient to patient. Type 1 is either caused by more than two bacterial genera (polymicrobial) or by the infrequently found single bacterial genus such as Vibrio or fungal genera such as Candida. Type 2 is caused by Streptococcus spp, and type 3 (or termed type 3 gas gangrene) is caused by Clostridium spp. One example of clinical findings (gas in tissues) is more often found in type 3, but can be found in types 1 and 2 also. Many investigators elect not to use this typing system and simply identify the organism(s) causing the necrotizing fasciitis. What causes necrotizing fasciitis? Most cases of necrotizing fasciitis are caused by bacteria; only rarely do other organisms such as fungi cause this disease. Group A Streptococci and Staphylococci, either alone or with other bact
