Which statement about dog bite infections is accurate?

Which statement about dog bite infections is accurate?

• A. They tend to be polymicrobial
• B. They are caused by a single organism
• C. They do not require antibiotics
• D. They never involve anaerobes

Answer: (A)

Dog bite infections are typically polymicrobial because the mouth of a dog carries a diverse mix of bacteria, including Pasteurella species, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species, and various anaerobes. This means the wound is often inoculated with several organisms at once, rather than a single pathogen. That diversity also explains why treatment usually requires broad-spectrum antibiotics that cover both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria (for example, amoxicillin-clavulanate) along with proper wound care. The other statements don’t fit because infections are not confined to one organism, antibiotics are commonly needed to prevent or treat infection, and anaerobic bacteria can be involved in dog bite infections.

Dog bite infections are typically polymicrobial because the mouth of a dog carries a diverse mix of bacteria, including Pasteurella species, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species, and various anaerobes. This means the wound is often inoculated with several organisms at once, rather than a single pathogen. That diversity also explains why treatment usually requires broad-spectrum antibiotics that cover both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria (for example, amoxicillin-clavulanate) along with proper wound care. The other statements don’t fit because infections are not confined to one organism, antibiotics are commonly needed to prevent or treat infection, and anaerobic bacteria can be involved in dog bite infections.