Treating mammalian bite wounds

The incidence of dog, cat and human bites has been increasing steadily and represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United Stat es. Approximately half of all Americans will suffer a bite wound during the ir lifetime, and the annual medical costs of managing these injuries has be en estimated to be over $100 million. Possible complications may include di sfigurement, dismemberment and infection. Effective management requires rap id medical evaluation and may necessitate surgical intervention and prophyl actic antibiotic therapy. As bite wounds are microbiologically diverse and most often polymicrobial in nature, selection of an appropriate antibiotic regimen requires knowledge of common pathogens. Close clinical follow-up is recommended to minimize the risk of late complications.