Recent advances in the management of skin and soft tissue infections.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are one of the most frequent infections that need management either in outpatient setting or as inpatient. The present review of the literature will present recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of SSTIs.

Recent findings: Regarding SSTIs diagnosis, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), PCR, MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy, along with the usage of novel biomarkers, such as procalcitonin, can help in the accurate and timely diagnosis of SSTIs in a cost-effective manner. Artificial intelligence applications may be the next step in the field. In terms of treatment, the use of newly approved antibiotics, such as oritavalcin and dalbavancin, in combination with innovative methods of their delivery based on nanotechnology applications, can offer targeted and localized action, minimizing the antibiotics' microbial inhibition concentration.

Summary: Even if SSTIs remain a difficult condition to treat, causing significant morbidity, mortality and economic burden on healthcare systems, ongoing scientific research is attempting to improve both diagnostic methods and treatment. More developments are expected in the near future in the areas of innovative diagnostic techniques, innovative drugs, nanotechnology applications, and antigen-based therapies.