Staphylococci cause an inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue called which?

• A. Abscess
• B. Carbuncle
• C. Furuncle
• D. Erysipelas

Answer: (B)

Staphylococci often cause boils that can extend into the deeper layers of the skin. A furuncle is a single boil around a hair follicle, but when several boils fuse and create a larger, deeper infection with multiple draining tracts, this is called a carbuncle. This term specifically describes subcutaneous tissue involvement by staphylococcal infection. An abscess is a general term for a pus pocket anywhere, but it doesn’t capture the clustered, multi-drainage nature of a carbuncle. Erysipelas, on the other hand, is a superficial skin infection of the dermis and lymphatics, usually caused by Streptococcus, not Staphylococcus, so it doesn’t fit the scenario.