Pig bite injuries and infection: report of seven human cases

Abstract

SUMMARYSix patients developed local infection after being bitten or groed by swine. Wounding was often deep and occurred characteristically on the posterior aspect of the thigh. Severity of infection caried from simple wound infection with discharge and slouth to cellulitis and abscess formation; pathogens included haemolytic streptococci, pasteurellae,Bacterodiessp.,Proteussp. andEscherichia coliand were usually isolated in mixed culture. A patient withPasteurella aerogencesinfection apperars to be the first reported in England. A seventh patient developedStreptococcus millerisepticaemia after wounding himself while cutting teeth from piglets. It is suggested that a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given as part of the initial treatment when patients present with the more servere pig bite injuries.