Impetigo%20-and-%20ecthyma Diagnosis
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis is usually based on clinical presentation
Laboratory Tests
- Tests are not necessary in most cases because diagnosis is made on clinical grounds
- Gram stain and/or culture may be used to confirm the diagnosis when the clinical presentation is unclear or if the patient fails first treatment
- Gram stain smears of vesicles show Gram-positive cocci
- Culture and sensitivity test reveals the causative agents and the appropriate therapy especially when resistant organisms are suspected
- Take blood cultures when patient appears ill and when infection is severe, recurrent, suspected to be an outbreak, or suspected to be caused by Methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA)