Video: "Flesh-Eating" Bacteria

The bacteria in the above video are Group A Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from a patient with necrotizing fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis can also be caused by other bacteria commonly found on the skin such as Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staph aureus)
Infection generally begins at a major wound or just a scratch
Sorry, Sci Fi fans, the causative bacteria do not “eat flesh”, but they cause deep, painful, fast-moving infections of the skin and underlying tissue including the fascia
Necrotizing fasciitis is rare, and even rarer if you are young and healthy
Conditions which can increase chances of the disease
– diabetes
– alcohol or drug abuse
– suppressed immunity
But if NOT diagnosed early and accurately and then treated appropriately, necrotizing fasciitis can be fatal
More information on the disease and its prevention is available from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).