Cutaneous erysipeloid

A26.0

Clinical Vignette:

Patient Profile:

* Age: 46 years old

* Sex: Male

* Name: Jack

History of Present Illness:

Jack is an experienced fishmonger who has spent his entire adult life around the docks, trading and handling fish. A lover of seafood himself, Jack often prepares his own meals from the freshest catch.

About a week ago, Jack was preparing a particularly spiny fish when he accidentally nicked his left hand with the knife. He cleaned the wound and continued with his work, but over the next few days, he noticed a reddish-purple, slightly raised rash developing around the cut. The area felt hot to the touch and was painful, but there was no pus or discharge.

Physical Examination:

Upon examination, the dermatologist noticed that the skin lesion was sharply demarcated with a distinct border. It had an erythematous, slightly swollen appearance and was tender to the touch. The wound itself looked clean with no signs of pus or other infection.

Investigations and Diagnosis:

A skin biopsy was done and cultures showed the presence of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, a bacterium common in fish and shellfish. Considering Jack's profession and the nature of the skin lesion, a diagnosis of Cutaneous Erysipeloid (A26.0) was made. Jack was started on a course of antibiotics to treat the infection. He was also given advice on proper wound care and handling of fish to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Diagnosis and ICD-10-CM Code:

Cutaneous Erysipeloid (A26.0)