Which organisms commonly infect human bite wounds?

Which organisms commonly infect human bite wounds?

• A. Eikenella corrodens, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species
• B. Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species
• C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella
• D. Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium difficile, Listeria monocytogenes

Answer: (A)

Human bite wounds are contaminated with the mouth’s normal flora, so infections are typically polymicrobial and include organisms from the oral cavity and skin. Eikenella corrodens is a classic inhabitant of human bites and is frequently isolated from infected bite wounds, especially clenched-fist injuries. It’s a hallmark of these infections. Staphylococcus aureus comes from skin and mucosal surfaces and is a common co-pathogen in soft-tissue infections, while Streptococcus species are frequent residents of the oral cavity and also contribute to bite wound infections. Together, these organisms reflect the usual microbial mix seen after human bites and guide empiric therapy toward covering both aerobes and anaerobes, including Eikenella. The other organisms listed are not characteristic of human bite infections: Pasteurella multocida is classically linked to animal bites; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella are not the typical oral flora associated with human bites; Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium difficile, and Listeria monocytogenes are not commonly implicated in bite wound infections.

Human bite wounds are contaminated with the mouth’s normal flora, so infections are typically polymicrobial and include organisms from the oral cavity and skin. Eikenella corrodens is a classic inhabitant of human bites and is frequently isolated from infected bite wounds, especially clenched-fist injuries. It’s a hallmark of these infections. Staphylococcus aureus comes from skin and mucosal surfaces and is a common co-pathogen in soft-tissue infections, while Streptococcus species are frequent residents of the oral cavity and also contribute to bite wound infections. Together, these organisms reflect the usual microbial mix seen after human bites and guide empiric therapy toward covering both aerobes and anaerobes, including Eikenella.

The other organisms listed are not characteristic of human bite infections: Pasteurella multocida is classically linked to animal bites; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella are not the typical oral flora associated with human bites; Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium difficile, and Listeria monocytogenes are not commonly implicated in bite wound infections.