Question
Cellulitis is:
| A. |
A suppurative invasive infection of skin and subcutaneous tissues
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| B. |
A nonsuppurative invasive infection of tissues
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| C. |
Infection caused by Gram negative bacilli
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| D. |
Infection caused by anaerobic Streptococci
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Show Answer
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Correct Answer » B
Explanation
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Cellulitis is an acute, diffuse, spreading inflammatory infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Unlike an abscess, it is characterized by inflammation without localized pus formation (nonsuppurative) in its early stage.
Common causative organisms:
- Streptococcus pyogenes (most common)
- Staphylococcus aureus
Features of Cellulitis
- Diffuse redness (erythema)
- Swelling (edema)
- Warmth
- Tenderness
- Ill-defined margins
- No localized collection of pus
Why other options are incorrect
- A. Suppurative infection → describes an abscess rather than cellulitis.
- C. Infection caused by Gram-negative bacilli → cellulitis is most commonly caused by streptococci and staphylococci.
- D. Infection caused by anaerobic Streptococci → not the usual definition or common cause of cellulitis.
