MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Ecthyma gangrenosum

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Ecthyma gangrenosum

This picture shows a skin infection (ecthyma) that has eroded through the top layer of skin (epidermis). Ecthyma gangrenosum is a bacterial skin infection (caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa) that usually occurs in people with a compromised immune system.

Update Date: 4/28/2006

Updated by: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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