What is Necrosis?

This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor "Good Morning America" reports on 24-year-old Aimee Copeland. The woman from Georgia is battling for her life against invasive bacteria eating away her flesh and causing it to die. She was riding a homemade zip line May 1 and quickly developed symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis, a rare bacterial infection. In general, WebMD says necrosis is the result of cells in a living organism that have suffered irreversible damage. Cells, tissues and organs eventually die if left untreated.

Necrotizing Fasciitis

The bacteria associated with necrotizing fasciitis can destroy skin and fat cells very quickly. The infection spreads so rapidly, 25 percent of those who get the disease die from it, according to WebMD. Bacteria enters a wound and spreads from that point. Worst cases lead to organ failure and eventual death.

The reason the disease is called fasciitis is because it most commonly affects the flat layers of tissue (called fascia) in between muscles. MedicineNet.com reports some forms of Streptococcus bacteria can become necrotizing even though the most common form of the bacteria simply leads to a sore throat.

Gangrene

Gangrene is a form of necrosis in which cells die due to a lack of blood supply. Maladies such as frostbite and diabetes can lead to gangrene. Loss of blood flow combined with infections in diabetic patients can lead to necrosis in limbs such as feet.

Pancreatic Necrosis

Pancreatic necrosis is the result of cells dying in the pancreas due to an abscess. If the tissue becomes infected in the pancreas, the mortality rate increases. Medcape.com states the mortality rate increase to more than 20 percent if pancreatic necrosis is due to a systemwide infection affecting the rest of the body.

Skin Necrosis

Skin necrosis occurs when an infection kills cells along layers of skin. Insect bites and spider bites can be common reasons why skin cells die if left untreated, according to WebMD. Poisonous spiders such as brown recluse and black widow may cause enough damage to leave scar tissue behind after the necrosis stops.

In worst cases, skin necrosis from bites have been documented to spread to 16 inches across. Wounds such as those take weeks to heal.

Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that causes cells in the body to die. The Centers for Disease Control states the type of fungus that causes the dead cells is usually found in soil, rotted wood and leaves. When the fungus gets under the skin through an open wound the infection can spread rapidly in people with compromised immune systems.

The New York Times reported as many as eight victims of the Joplin tornado developed the deadly fungal infection. Most of the victims had multiple injuries along with many infections from wounds. The rare form of the infection is usually not seen in so many cases all at once.

William Browning is a research librarian.

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