Human Bites Resulting in Hand Infections: Is Eikenella a Bug of the Past?

Benjamin Liliav

Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Cosmetic & Hand Surgery, Eastern Maine Medical Center, USA

^*Correspondance to: Benjamin Liliav 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1930

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of infections related to Eikenella C. and other microorganisms involved in human bite injuries.Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients evaluated for human bite to the hand from April 2007 to October 2011 was performed. ICD-9 codes E928.3 ("human bite”) and E928.7 ("accidental, environmental causes") were used to identify patients.
Results: Forty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Gram-positive aerobes (58%), of which 32.4% belonged to Streptococcus species and 57.1% of Staphylococcus aureus isolated were resistant to methicillin (MRSA). Eikenella corrodens was isolated in 6.7% of specimens.Conclusion: Timely surgical debridement and broad spectrum antibiotic therapy are paramount in treating hand infections from human bites. Eikenella corrodens and MRSA are important microorganisms related to human bites. Antimicrobial therapy should be tailored based on final culture results.

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Cite the article

Liliav B. Human Bites Resulting in Hand Infections: Is Eikenella a Bug of the Past? Clin Surg. 2018; 3: 1930.