Multidisciplinary panel opinion on the management of bacterial skin infections

Abstract

AbstractEight hot topics regarding the diagnosis and management of bacterial skin infections were selected and reviewed by five experts from different European countries, chosen based on their expertise in microbiology, infectious diseases, and dermatology. As noninfectious skin diseases/conditions such as atopic dermatitis can be complicated by infections, including Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI), a collaboration between dermatologists and infectious disease specialists can promote a rational approach to diagnosis and a more functional treatment approach, especially for complicated infections. In addition, an important role would be played by microbiologists as they are crucial for the isolation and classification of the bacterial pathogen to guide clinicians toward the most effective antibiotic therapy. Although there are many therapeutic options for the treatment of bacterial skin infections, including those due to methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, these drugs often require multiple daily administrations leading to patient noncompliance and are associated with gastrointestinal adverse events and drug resistance. With their characteristics of being long‐acting, safety and single‐dose regimens, long‐acting antibiotics, such as dalbavancin and oritavancin, represent an effective alternative that could change the management of these infections with a considerable reduction of hospitalisation costs and risks.