Final answer:
The term for an acute bacterial infection of the dermis is cellulitis, typically caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or staphylococci, resulting in red, warm, and painful skin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for an acute bacterial infection of the dermis is cellulitis. Cellulitis is caused by bacteria, often Streptococcus pyogenes or staphylococci, entering through a cut or abrasion and affecting the dermis or hypodermis. This condition presents as a reddened area of the skin that is warm and painful. Although similar conditions like erysipelas and erythema nodosum also affect the skin, they present with different symptoms and characteristics.