title: Dog-bite wounds: bacteriology and treatment outcome in 37 cases.
abstract: Bite wounds in 37 dogs were prospectively evaluated. Ninety-five percent of animals presented within 12 hours of injury. The most common wound locations were neck, limbs, head, chest, shoulder region, and abdomen. Eighty-six percent had wounds to multiple locations. Fifty-seven percent of wounds were Class 4 (i.e., most severe). Based on results of all samples, 65% had positive aerobic cultures, 15% had positive anaerobic cultures, and 33% had negative cultures. The most commonly isolated aerobic bacteria were Staphylococcus intermedius, Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus coagulase negative, and Escherichia coli. Most common anaerobic isolates were Bacillus spp., Clostridium spp., and Corynebacterium spp. Severe bite wounds had a high rate of bacterial contamination at presentation. No single antibiotic or antibiotic combination was effective against all bacteria that were cultured.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6010, USA.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Holt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents