Dog bite wounds and infection: a prospective clinical study

Abstract

We prospectively studied 26 patients with 27 dog bite wounds who sought medical attention in the emergency department. Two distinct populations were found (Fishers Exact Test, P less than or equal to 0.001): 1) those who presented 8 hr to 12 hr post-injury were concerned about rabies or tetanus or surgical wound repair; and 2) those who presented more than 12 hr post-injury were concerned with infection. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in the bacteriology of the two groups. Of all wounds, 74% had aerobic pathogens isolated, including Streptococcus viridans (12 strains), Staphylococcus aureus (five strains), and Pasteurella multocida (eight strains); 41% had anaerobic pathogens isolated, including Bacteriodes species (five strains) and Fusobacterium species (five strains). Gram stains made from wound swabs were specific but insensitive predictor for bacterial growth. Empiric outpatient therapy with oral penicillin (17 patients) and/or dicloxacillin (four patients) was effective.