Bite, Human

Basics

Third most common bite (after dogs and cats)
Most bites (up to 75%) occur during aggressive acts
15–20% are related to sexual activity (love nips)
2 types of bites:
- Occlusional bites: Laceration or crush injury to affected body part:
  - Occurs when human teeth bite into the skin
  - More prone to infection than animal bites
- Clenched-fist injuries (CFIs) (CFIs; most serious type): Present as small wounds over metacarpophalangeal joints in dominant hand (fight bites):
  - Sustained from a clenched fist striking the mouth and teeth of another person
With joint relaxation from the clenched position:
- Puncture site sealed
- Oral bacteria inoculated in the anaerobic setting within the joint
- Bacterial inoculation carried by the tendons deeper into the potential spaces of the hand
- Increases chances for a more extensive infection

Aerobic and anaerobic organisms:
- Most common:
  - Streptococcus
  - Staphylococcus
- Others:
  - Eikenella corrodens—exhibits synergism with Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides, and gram-negative organisms
  - Haemophilus influenzae
  - Peptostreptococcus
  - Corynebacterium
Although rare, case reports of viral transmission via bites (hepatitis, HIV, and herpes)

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