title: Capybara Bites: Report of Human Injury Caused by a Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health care demand due to animal bites is frequent, especially in the emergency department (ED). In addition to the physical trauma caused by bites, one should be concerned with infectious diseases that can be transmitted. The range of the lesions depends on the animal species. Bites of Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (capybaras) in humans are relatively uncommon. Capybaras are docile animals; however, their large rodent incisive teeth could cause serious injury. Localized care, antibiotic therapy when necessary, careful examination of the structures, tetanus and rabies immunization as indicated, and follow-up are recommended for wild animal bites. The authors hereby describe and discuss the medical management of a case of multiple lesions from capybara bites on the right thigh of a man.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 54-year-old male patient was admitted to the ED with a compression bandage soaked with blood after being bitten by a capybara. At the clinical examination, the patient had two lacerating wounds and multiple abrasions on the anterior face of the right thigh. Rabies prophylaxis was administered and the wounds were irrigated and closed with sterile dressings. Oral amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium for 7 days was administered to the patient. The patient was followed up; 3 months after the attack he returned to his previous level of activity without any complication. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: We recommend that practitioners and physicians should provide prompt attention due to potentially significant morbidities, particularly rabies. The adequate care of the wound will allow better aesthetic and functional results to victims of wild animal bites.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Policlínica Regional do Largo da Batalha, Niterói (RJ), Brazil.
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Vieira
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Policlínica Regional do Largo da Batalha, Niterói (RJ), Brazil; Instituto de Dermatologia Professor Rubem David Azulay, Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bernardes Filho
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Dermatologia Professor Rubem David Azulay, Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Azulay-Abulafia
mesh_terms: D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control; D012377:Rodentia; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination
keywords: bites and stings; capybara; rodents; wild animal attack; wild animal trauma