[Pasteurella multocida infections: bites by dogs or cats?]

Abstract

Annually 50,000 to 100,000 animal bites are seen by physicians in the Netherlands. Infections of these bite wounds frequently occur. Pasteurella multocida is one of the main causes of these infections and many serious complications may occur. We present 3 patients with disturbances in wound healing after animal bites or scratches due to infection with P. multocida. In view of the high infection ratio after cat bites we advise giving amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin) for 5 days as prophylaxis. According to the literature prophylaxis for dog bites is not necessary. However, fatal complications after dog bites due to infections with Capnocytophaga canimorsus (DF-2) support those who prefer to give antibiotics after these bites also.