title: [Bacterial infections as complications of dog bites].
abstract: Dog bites may result in serious bacterial infections with e.g. the gram-negative rods Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Pasteurella multocida. Human disease caused by these microorganisms can be complicated by acute development of septicaemia and/or meningitis followed by disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, peripheral gangrene and renal failure. The mortality of C. canimorsus septicaemia is about 23-31%. These severe infections are most often reported in immunocompromised patients and occur a few days after the bite. By reviewing the literature it is concluded that the broadest prophylactic coverage is obtained by amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and that antibiotic prophylaxis should be given to all immunocompromised patients experiencing a dog bite. Moreover, prophylactic treatment should be initiated for all patients with greater penetrating wounds and those involving the hands.
authors.affiliation: Finsencentret, H:S Rigshospitalet, København.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bangsborg
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control