Infections of the Hand, injection injuries-Chronic Hand Infections

Chronic Hand Infections

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Chronic infections of the hand are rare and often difficult to diagnose. They can be classified based on the microorganism. Mycobacterial infections include tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterial infections, and leprosy. Other bacterial infections include actinomycosis, cat-scratch disease, syphilis, tularemia, bacillary angiomatosis, and actinomycetoma. Fungal infections can be classified as cutaneous, subcutaneous, or deep infections. Common chronic viral infections of the hand include warts and orf, which is a parapox virus that can be transmitted from sheep or goats. <br /><br />Tuberculosis of the hand is rare and can involve various structures such as the skin, tenosynovium, bursa, joints, and bone. Diagnosis is often challenging and requires a high index of suspicion. Deep fungal infections of the hand are usually opportunistic and seen in immune-compromised patients. These infections often carry a poor prognosis and may require surgical debridement and systemic antifungal therapy. Chronic viral infections of the hand, such as warts and orf, can usually be treated with topical or systemic medications.<br /><br />The diagnosis of chronic hand infections is based on clinical presentation, characteristic signs, and laboratory tests such as direct microscopy and fungal cultures. Treatment depends on the specific microorganism involved and can range from drug therapy to surgical intervention. In some cases, long-term splinting may be necessary to prevent deformity. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in order to prevent complications and improve outcomes.

Keywords

Chronic infections

hand

diagnosis

microorganism

Mycobacterial infections

bacterial infections

fungal infections

viral infections

Tuberculosis

warts and orf