Clinical features
Management
The majority of bites seen in everyday practice involve dogs and cats. These are generally polymicrobial but the most common isolated organism is Pasteurella multocida.
Management
- cleanse wound. Puncture wounds should not be sutured closed unless cosmesis is at risk
- current BNF recommendation is co-amoxiclav
- if penicillin-allergic then doxycycline + metronidazole is recommended
Human bites
Human bites commonly cause multimicrobial infection, including both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
Common organisms include:
- Streptococci spp.
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Eikenella
- Fusobacterium
- Prevotella
Co-amoxiclav is recommended, as for animal bites.
The risk of viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis C should also be considered.