Which organism is commonly associated with human bite infections?

Which organism is commonly associated with human bite infections?

• A. Bartonella henselae
• B. Eikenella corrodens
• C. Pasteurella multocida
• D. Capnocytophaga canimorsus

Answer: (B)

Infections from human bites draw from organisms that live in the mouth, and one organism is classic for these wounds: Eikenella corrodens. This small gram-negative rod is a normal part of oral flora and is frequently recovered from bite injuries, including clenched-fist injuries. Its association with human bites is well established, and it can be slow-growing, sometimes requiring special culture conditions to grow on blood or chocolate agar and to notice its characteristic corrosion (hence the name corrodens). Bite infections are often polymicrobial, involving anaerobes as well, so broad coverage is common, but Eikenella corrodens is the standout organism most commonly linked to human bites. The other organisms listed are more typical of bites from animals or relate to other conditions (cat-scratch disease for Bartonella henselae; Pasteurella multocida from animal bites; Capnocytophaga canimorsus from dog bites and certain host conditions), not the classic human-bite pathogen.

Infections from human bites draw from organisms that live in the mouth, and one organism is classic for these wounds: Eikenella corrodens. This small gram-negative rod is a normal part of oral flora and is frequently recovered from bite injuries, including clenched-fist injuries. Its association with human bites is well established, and it can be slow-growing, sometimes requiring special culture conditions to grow on blood or chocolate agar and to notice its characteristic corrosion (hence the name corrodens). Bite infections are often polymicrobial, involving anaerobes as well, so broad coverage is common, but Eikenella corrodens is the standout organism most commonly linked to human bites. The other organisms listed are more typical of bites from animals or relate to other conditions (cat-scratch disease for Bartonella henselae; Pasteurella multocida from animal bites; Capnocytophaga canimorsus from dog bites and certain host conditions), not the classic human-bite pathogen.