Soft tissue infections due to human bites

Authors : Fatma Meral INCE

Pages : 45-47

Doi:10.5455/jicm.2016.1.224190

View : 20 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2016-09-30

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :Background: Human bites are potentially dangerous wounds constituting an important cause of morbidity. Infections caused by human bites are reported to be more severe than infections caused by animal bites.  The aim of this article is to present two patients with soft tissue infections secondary to human bites, which are rare in the literature. Case presentation: The first patient is a 62-year old female whose 4 th digit of her left hand was bitten by her disabled child and became necrotic. The second patient is a 35-year old female patient whose 2 nd digit in her left hand was bitten by her husband five days ago. Both patients had undergone debridement for the necrotic infections in the area of the lesion and prescribed the appropriate antibiotherapy. Rest, elevation and immobilization were maintained. The reconstruction and physiotherapy gave satisfactory results. Conclusion: Human bite wounds have long had a bad reputation for severe infection and frequent complication. For this reason, prophylactic antibiotic treatment should be given after human bite to prevent infection. If the infection signs and symptoms develop, rapid diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic and surgical therapy should be applied instantly.
Keywords : Human bite, soft tissue infection, debridement