Infecciones en atletas de colegio, son mas frecuentes las bacterias, luego hongos y luego los virus...

Ashack KA, Burton KA, Johnson TR, et al. Skin Infections Among US High School Athletes: A National Survey. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(4):679-684.

Take-home message

This study used a convenience sample of data from the High School Reporting Information Online injury surveillance database, which contains information provided by athletic trainers, to assess the epidemiology of skin infections in US high school athletes. During the study period, 2.27 skin infections per 100,000 athlete exposures were reported (474 skin infections among 20,858,781 athlete exposures). The most common infection type was bacterial, followed by tinea (60.6% and 28.4% of infections, respectively). Infections most commonly occurred on the head/face (25.3% of infections). Wrestling presented the greatest risk, resulting in substantially more infections than the next highest–risk sport of football (73.6% and 17.9% of infections, respectively). This study suggests that sports-related skin infections are common in student athletes and that prevention efforts are needed.

Dr. Heymann's commentary

This study identified 474 skin infections among 20,858,781 athlete exposures, a rate of 2.27 per 100,000 athlete exposures. Skin infections were most common in wrestling (73.6%), followed by football (17.9%). Bacterial infections were the most common (60.6%), followed by tinea infections (28.4%). The head/face (25.3%) and forearm (12.7%) were the body parts affected the most.

I usually do not comment on epidemiological studies; however, I was compelled to because of a recent case of facial herpes gladiatorum that I diagnosed in a high school wrestler. In thinking about prevention, please see the abstract in the journal article by Anderson et al.

Anderson BJ, McGuire DP, Reed M, et al. Prophylactic Valacyclovir to Prevent Outbreaks of Primary Herpes Gladitorium at a 28-Day Wrestling Camp: A 10-Year Review [published online November 4, 2015]. Clin J Sport Med. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000255.

Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock

Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

4000-1054

2208-8206

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