Ertapenem rescue therapy in hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating disease characterized by sinus tract and abscess formation leading to significant pain, scarring, and psychosocial distress. Although the pathogenesis is still unclear, recent findings suggest a basement membrane defect at the folliculopilosebaceous unit may contribute to the primary pathogenesis, with bacterial colonization as a secondary cause.1 We present a case of a patient with HS meeting systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and the use of intravenous (IV) ertapenem.