title: [Animal bites. Epidemiology and infection risks].
abstract: A review of 5,116 cases of animal bites (587 of which were studied prospectively) has shed some light on their epidemiological aspects and on the risk of infection they carry. It has also led to a more objective assessment of the real effect of the therapeutic and prophylactic measures usually applied in such cases. The most frequent wounds are those of the hands and face, the former rising an infectious problem, the latter a predominantly cosmetic problem. The overall risk of infection is 30 per cent, but it is increased, notably as regards pasteurellosis, in the case of cat bite. Precise and simple rules concerning the prevention of this risk cannot easily be given, but it seems that the systematic antibiotic treatment initially prescribed has not clearly proved effective. Similarly, early sutures do not significantly increase the risk of infection.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine interne et des Maladies infectieuses, Hôpital Robert Debré, Reims.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strady
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rouger
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vernet
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Combremont
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Remy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deville
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chippaux
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
vernacular_title: Morsures d'animaux. Epidémiologie et risques infectieux.