Streptococcal soft tissue infection

Streptococcal necrotizing soft tissue infection is a severe bacterial infection primarily caused by group A streptococcus (GAS), also known as Streptococcus pyogenes. It affects the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscles, with necrotizing fasciitis being the most severe form (Bruun T et al. (2021)). Common signs and symptoms include severe pain, swelling, redness, and warmth at the infection site, often accompanied by fever, chills, and systemic toxicity. In necrotizing soft tissue infections, rapid progression of tissue destruction, bullae formation, and skin necrosis may occur (Hua C et al. (2023)). Risk factors include skin breaks (wounds, surgery, intravenous drug use), immunosuppression, and chronic comorbidities such as diabetes, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease (Peetermans M et al. (2020)). Of note, up to one third of the patients have no known predisposing condition or comorbidity. Streptococcal soft tissue infections affect individuals of all ages. Treatment involves prompt surgical debridement of necrotic tissue, broad-spectrum antibiotics (typically including penicillin and clindamycin), and supportive care. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial, as mortality rates for necrotizing soft tissue infections can reach 20-30% and amputations are required in 20% of patients with infection of the extremity (Madsen MB et al. (2019)).

Differential Abundance Analysis Results

This section presents the results of the differential protein abundance analysis, visualized through a volcano plot and summarized in the accompanying table for all three comparisons: 1) disease vs. healthy samples, 2) disease vs. diseases from the same class, and 3) disease vs. all other diseases.