Beware erysipelas: renal disease is just around the corner

Abstract

We describe a case of erysipelas caused by Streptococcus Group G to draw attention to organ and systemic complications that may be associated with this disease. Group G streptococcal infection affected a 70-year old woman following a small skin wound at the base of her second left toe. On admittance to the emergency department, the patient’s urine was dark from macrohematuria. She later developed septic shock. Cutaneous and renal symptoms were kept in check with antibiotic therapy, and she fully recovered from the septic shock after receiving specific therapies. This case shows that erysipelas is not just a disease of the skin and soft tissues, but one that may be associated with organ diseases and systemic complications. The patient completely recovered from both the cutaneous and kidney pathologies after antibiotic therapy.