Ward round--crocodile bites in Malawi: microbiology and surgical management.
We present a case series of 5 patients admitted over 5 months to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital who had sustained injuries from a crocodile bite. Three patients required amputation of a limb. The severe soft tissue injury associated with a crocodile bite and the unusual normal oral flora of the crocodile create challenges in treatment. Progressive tissue destruction and haemolysis are complications of such infected wounds. An antibiotic regime is recommended that covers gram negative rods, anaerobes and may include doxycycline, as well as the need to have a low threshold for early amputation.
College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Malawi, P.O. Box 122201, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. lbiruklw@yahoo.com
Biruk L
BL
Wamisho
Jes
J
Bates
Marc
M
Tompkins
Raneem
R
Islam
Noha
N
Nyamulani
Chistopher
C
Ngulube
Nyengo C
NC
Mkandawire
D000293:Adolescent; D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000382:microbiology; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006089:Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents