Microorganisms Associated with Animal Bites in Children

Note: All animal bites require thorough clinical assessment. This guide covers common microorganisms but is not exhaustive. Consider local epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance patterns.

Domestic Mammals

Dog (Canis familiaris)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella canis
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus species
• Capnocytophaga canimorsus
• Bergeyella zoohelcum

Prevalence: Present in 85% of dog bites

Cat (Felis catus)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Bartonella henselae
• Moraxella species
• Staphylococcus species
• Fusobacterium species

Note: Cat bites have higher infection rates due to deep puncture wounds

Horse (Equus caballus)

Common pathogens:

• Actinobacillus lignieresii
• Streptococcus equi
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pasteurella caballi

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Streptococcus species
• Francisella tularensis
• Staphylococcus aureus

Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella species
• Streptococcus species
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Bacteroides species

Wild Mammals

Bat (Multiple species)

Critical pathogens:

• Rabies virus
• Pasteurella species
• Nycterimyces species
• Histoplasma capsulatum

Warning: All bat bites require rabies post-exposure prophylaxis evaluation

Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

Common pathogens:

• Rabies virus
• Pasteurella multocida
• Streptococcus species
• Baylisascaris procyonis

Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Common pathogens:

• Rabies virus
• Pasteurella multocida
• Capnocytophaga canimorsus
• Streptococcus species

Rodents and Small Mammals

Rat (Rattus spp.)

Common pathogens:

• Streptobacillus moniliformis (Rat-bite fever)
• Spirillum minus
• Leptospira species
• Pasteurella species
• Staphylococcus aureus

Note: Monitor for rat-bite fever symptoms up to 14 days post-bite

Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella pneumotropica
• Streptobacillus moniliformis
• Acinetobacter species
• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Mouse (Mus musculus)

Common pathogens:

• Streptobacillus moniliformis
• Pasteurella species
• Leptospira species
• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella species
• Streptococcus species
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Corynebacterium species

Reptiles and Amphibians

Snake (Multiple species)

Common pathogens:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Proteus species
• Salmonella species
• Aeromonas hydrophila
• Morganella morganii

Warning: Consider antivenin needs based on species

Iguana (Iguana iguana)

Common pathogens:

• Salmonella species
• Pseudomonas species
• Bacteroides species
• Serratia marcescens

Monitor Lizard (Varanus spp.)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Pseudomonas species
• Salmonella species
• Provodencia rettgeri
• Proteus vulgaris

Note: High risk of severe infection due to oral flora

Turtle (Multiple species)

Common pathogens:

• Salmonella species
• Aeromonas hydrophila
• Citrobacter species
• Pseudomonas species

Frog/Toad (Multiple species)

Common pathogens:

• Aeromonas hydrophila
• Pseudomonas species
• Mycobacterium marinum
• Salmonella species

Note: Some species secrete toxins through skin glands

Birds and Poultry

Parrot/Parakeet (Psittaciformes)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Chlamydophila psittaci
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Staphylococcus species

Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Salmonella species
• Campylobacter jejuni
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

Pigeon (Columba livia)

Common pathogens:

• Chlamydophila psittaci
• Cryptococcus neoformans
• Pasteurella multocida
• Candida species

Marine and Aquatic Animals

Shark (Multiple species)

Common pathogens:

• Vibrio species
• Aeromonas hydrophila
• Pseudomonas species
• Clostridium species
• Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

Note: High risk of polymicrobial infection from marine environment

Seal (Multiple species)

Common pathogens:

• Mycoplasma phocacerebrale
• Vibrio species
• Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
• Bisgaardia hudsonensis
• Streptococcus phocae

Warning: "Seal finger" infection requires specific antibiotic therapy

Dolphin (Family Delphinidae)

Common pathogens:

• Vibrio species
• Aeromonas hydrophila
• Pseudomonas species
• Staphylococcus delphini
• Photobacterium damselae

Lionfish (Pterois species)

Common pathogens:

• Vibrio species
• Aeromonas species
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Shewanella species

Warning: Venomous spines require immediate medical attention

Stingray (Multiple species)

Common pathogens:

• Vibrio species
• Aeromonas species
• Pseudomonas species
• Mycobacterium marinum

Note: Hot water immersion recommended for pain management

Exotic Pets

Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

Common pathogens:

• Salmonella species
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Aeromonas species
• Devriesea agamarum

Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Streptococcus species
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Bartonella species

Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

Common pathogens:

• Salmonella species
• Trichophyton erinacei
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pasteurella multocida

Note: High risk of fungal infections from spines

Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Streptococcus species
• Rabies virus
• Francisella tularensis
• Bartonella species

Farm Animals

Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Streptococcus suis
• Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
• Staphylococcus hyicus
• Actinobacillus suis

Warning: High risk of deep tissue infection

Goat (Capra hircus)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Actinobacillus lignieresii
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
• Coxiella burnetii

Sheep (Ovis aries)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Mannheimia haemolytica
• Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Actinobacillus species

Wild Animals

Wolf (Canis lupus)

Common pathogens:

• Rabies virus
• Pasteurella multocida
• Capnocytophaga canimorsus
• Streptococcus species
• Francisella tularensis

Warning: Consider rabies prophylaxis for all wild wolf bites

Bear (Ursus species)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Streptococcus species
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Bacteroides species
• Fusobacterium species

Note: High risk of crush injuries requiring surgical debridement

Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Bartonella henselae
• Rabies virus
• Streptococcus species
• Francisella tularensis

Coyote (Canis latrans)

Common pathogens:

• Rabies virus
• Pasteurella multocida
• Capnocytophaga canimorsus
• Staphylococcus species
• Bacteroides species

Venomous Species

Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

Common pathogens:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Morganella morganii
• Proteus species
• Enterobacter species

Critical: Immediate antivenin required; high mortality without treatment

King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)

Common pathogens:

• Pseudomonas species
• Proteus vulgaris
• Morganella morganii
• Aeromonas hydrophila

Warning: Species-specific antivenin required

Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Pseudomonas species
• Salmonella species
• Staphylococcus species

Note: Only venomous lizard native to United States

Regional Species

Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Escherichia coli
• Staphylococcus species
• Streptococcus species
• Bacteroides species

Warning: Severe wound infection risk due to complex oral flora

Kangaroo (Macropus species)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Streptococcus species
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Fusobacterium species

Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Streptococcus species
• Staphylococcus species
• Bacteroides species

Note: Extremely powerful bite force requires thorough wound assessment

Camel (Camelus species)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Streptococcus species
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

Note: Consider MERS-CoV exposure in Middle Eastern regions

Primates

Macaque Monkey (Macaca species)

Common pathogens:

• Herpes B virus (Macacine herpesvirus 1)
• Streptococcus species
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pasteurella multocida
• Enterobacteriaceae

Critical: Consider all macaque bites as potential Herpes B exposure

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

Common pathogens:

• Streptococcus species
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Bacteroides species
• Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV)

Warning: Severe tissue damage common due to bite force

Additional Wild Cats

Tiger (Panthera tigris)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Bartonella henselae
• Streptococcus species
• Fusobacterium necrophorum
• Porphyromonas species

Warning: Severe crush injuries common; high risk of compartment syndrome

Leopard (Panthera pardus)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Bartonella species
• Streptococcus species
• Bacteroides species
• Fusobacterium species

Note: Deep puncture wounds require thorough exploration

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Common pathogens:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Capnocytophaga canimorsus
• Streptococcus species
• Porphyromonas species
• Prevotella species

Venomous Spiders

Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus species)

Common pathogens:

• Staphylococcus epidermidis
• Streptococcus species
• Bacillus species

Critical: Monitor for latrodectism syndrome; antivenin may be required

Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa)

Common pathogens:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus species
• Clostridium species

Warning: Risk of necrotic arachnidism; monitor for systemic loxoscelism

Sydney Funnel-web Spider (Atrax robustus)

Common pathogens:

• Staphylococcus species
• Streptococcus species
• Environmental bacteria

Critical: Immediate antivenin required; potentially lethal neurotoxic venom

Specialized Clinical Considerations

Immunocompromised Children - Special Risks

Additional pathogens of concern:

• Nocardia species
• Mycobacterium species
• Aspergillus species
• Mucormycetes
• Cryptococci species

Management principles:

• Lower threshold for hospitalization
• Broader spectrum empiric antibiotics
• Early infectious disease consultation
• More frequent wound monitoring

Regional Antibiotic Resistance Patterns

Common resistant organisms:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms
• Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
• Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Regional considerations:

• South Asia: High ESBL prevalence
• North America: Community-acquired MRSA
• Mediterranean: Carbapenem-resistant organisms
• Southeast Asia: Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas

Deep Tissue Infection Risk Factors

High-risk characteristics:

• Crush injuries
• Deep puncture wounds
• Hand and joint involvement
• Delayed presentation (>12 hours)
• Prior radiation to bite area

Management implications:

• Early surgical evaluation
• Extended duration of antibiotics
• Regular wound reassessment
• Consider imaging studies

Zoonotic Disease Surveillance

Key reportable conditions:

• Rabies exposures
• Monkey B virus exposures
• Tularemia
• Brucellosis
• Novel influenza strains

Reporting requirements:

• Immediate notification to public health
• Contact tracing when indicated
• Specimen collection protocols
• Exposure documentation