What organism is commonly associated with dog bites?

The organism commonly associated with dog bites is Pasteurella. Pasteurella multocida is a bacterium that is frequently found in the mouths of dogs and cats, and it is the primary pathogen linked to infections following animal bites. In cases of dog bites, this organism can cause significant skin and soft tissue infections, which may present as cellulitis, abscess formation, or even osteomyelitis if the wound is deep enough.

The reason Pasteurella is notable in these cases is due to its ability to replicate rapidly in human tissue and to evade some aspects of the immune response. The infections can occur quite quickly after the bite, often within 24 hours, making timely medical intervention crucial.

In contrast, organisms like Escherichia coli, Clostridium, and Staphylococcus aureus, while they can be involved in other types of infections, are not typically the primary pathogens associated with dog bites. E. coli is most often associated with gastrointestinal infections, Clostridium is more linked to infections arising from deep puncture wounds or contamination with soil, and Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin inhabitant that can cause infections in various contexts but is not specifically connected with animal bites in the same way that Pasteurella