<dermatology> An acute, diffuse, spreading, oedematous, suppurative inflammation of the deep subcutaneous tissues
and sometimes muscle, which
may be associated with abscess formation.
It is usually caused by infection of an operative or traumatic wound, burn or other cutaneous lesion by various bacteria, but group A streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus are
the most common aetiological
agents.
Cellulitis may also occur in immunocompromised hosts or it may follow erysipelas. It tends to spread to tissue spaces and cleavage planes owing to bacterial elaboration of large amounts of hyaluronidases that, break down polysaccharide ground substance, fibrinolysins that digest fibrin barriers and lecithinases that destroy cell membranes.
Clinical manifestations include an
area of oedema, warmth and tenderness with indistinct margins.
Compare: erysipelas.
(13 Nov 1997)
