North America and Europe Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI); One of the Most Common Causes of Skin Infections
North America and Europe acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) are infections of skin and associated soft tissues that affect the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous tissues. Management of ABSSSI is complex and includes surgical procedures and antibiotic treatment. The therapeutic approaches favored in treating skin infections include wound culture with susceptibility testing, appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy, adjunctive therapies, and surgical drainage and debridement. ABSSSI are common in the United States; majority of patients are men (although some women may contract vaginal infections from having intercourse with an infected male partner). Thus, there is an increasing demand for safe and effective ABSSSI treatment. For example, in March 2021, Melinta Therapeutics received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for KIMYRSA (oritavancin) for the treatment of adult patients with ABSSSI. KIMYRSA is an antibiotic that delivers a complete cou