Escherichia coli cellulitis: two cases.

We report two cases of cellulitis of the legs occurring in adults where Escherichia coli (E. coli) was, or probably was, the causative bacterial agent. E. coli and other gram-negative bacilli cellulitis are rarely reported. However, in cellulitis, the causative microorganism is rarely identified, and some cases of E. coli cellulitis could be unrecognized. Furthermore, classical risk factors for gram-negative sepsis are characterized by a state of leucocyte dysfunction which could explain the possibility of a severe, even lethal, course of gram-negative cellulitis. Therefore, the occurrence of cellulitis in patients with risk factors should prompt attempts at isolating the pathogenic microorganism, and a broad spectrum of antibiotic therapy should be initiated.