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  5. Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified (A48)

Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified (A48)

The A48 ICD-10 code section covers a group of bacterial diseases that do not fit into other specific classification categories. This includes conditions like gas gangrene, Legionnaires' disease, toxic shock syndrome, and various forms of botulism among others.

These codes are used to identify and document rare or unusual bacterial infections, such as gas gangrene; also known by names like anaerobic myonecrosis or infections caused by several Clostridium species. Legionnaires' disease and its nonpneumonic form, Pontiac fever, represent severe and mild illness caused by Legionella bacteria. The section also includes codes for toxic shock syndrome, resulting from infections by bacteria such as methicillin-resistant or susceptible Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Infant botulism and wound botulism are also captured here, identifying infections from the botulinum toxin affecting different patient groups. Coders searching for the ICD-10 code for gas gangrene or related conditions will find A48.0 appropriate, while A48.3 or A48.51 apply to toxic shock syndrome and infant botulism, respectively. This section ensures precise coding of these serious, sometimes rare bacterial infections.

Instructional Notations

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

Clinical Terms

The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.

Clostridium

A genus of motile or nonmotile gram-positive bacteria of the family Clostridiaceae. Many species have been identified with some being pathogenic. They occur in water, soil, and in the intestinal tract of humans and lower animals.

Endotoxemia

A condition characterized by the presence of ENDOTOXINS in the blood. On lysis, the outer cell wall of gram-negative bacteria enters the systemic circulation and initiates a pathophysiologic cascade of pro-inflammatory mediators.

Endotoxins

Toxins closely associated with the living cytoplasm or cell wall of certain microorganisms, which do not readily diffuse into the culture medium, but are released upon lysis of the cells.

Gas Gangrene

A severe condition resulting from bacteria invading healthy muscle from adjacent traumatized muscle or soft tissue. The infection originates in a wound contaminated with bacteria of the genus CLOSTRIDIUM. C. perfringens accounts for the majority of cases (over eighty percent), while C. noyvi, C. septicum, and C. histolyticum cause most of the other cases.

Legionnaires' Disease

An acute, sometimes fatal, pneumonia-like bacterial infection characterized by high fever, malaise, muscle aches, respiratory disorders and headache. It is named for an outbreak at the 1976 Philadelphia convention of the American Legion.

Rhinoscleroma

A granulomatous disease caused by KLEBSIELLA RHINOSCLEROMATIS infection. Despite its name, this disease is not limited to the nose and NASOPHARYNX but may affect any part of the RESPIRATORY TRACT, sometimes with extension to the lip and the skin.