EDITOR, - Three aspects of necrotising fasciitis mentioned in Timothy S Burge and James D Watson's editorial require further clarification.1 Firstly, the key to the successful management of necrotising fasciitis is the immediate referral for surgical opinion of patients with atypical cellulitis.2 Only with early recognition of the possible diagnosis can the established guidelines of prompt resuscitation, diagnostic incision, and radical debridement be instigated, thereby improving the prospects of survival.

Secondly, the bacteriology of necrotising fasciitis is unclear …