necrotizing fasciitis

:  a severe infection of soft tissue that is caused by bacteria (such as Group A streptococci or MRSA) and is marked by edema and necrosis of subcutaneous tissue with involvement of adjacent fascia and by painful red swollen skin over affected areas On incision, clues such as fat necrosis … and thrombosis of subcutaneous veins … would suggest necrotizing fasciitis.—Michael R. Filbin et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 29 Jan. 2009 If the infection occurred on the skin or underlying tissue as through a cut, necrotizing fasciitis could develop, literally eating away deep muscle and other soft tissue, eventually causing organ failure and death.—Shannon Tompkins, The Houston Chronicle, 23 Aug. 2009—called also flesh-eating disease ◆Necrotizing fasciitis usually occurs as a complication of surgery, injury, or infection by extension from the initially affected site.