INFECTIONS AFTER SHARK ATTACKS IN AUSTRALIA

Shark bites are rare, even in Australia. Two cases presenting in a 2-week period to adjacent hospitals, and with similar infectious problems, prompted this report. Case 1. Swabs from the wound grew Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Aeromonas caviae. Case 2. After 48 h the wound "smelled fishy," and the boy was febrile at 39.5 degree C. Necrotic tissue was further debrided and antibiotic therapy was changed to iv gentamicin, metronidazole and oral ciprofloxacin. Swabs grew Vibrio alginolyticus, Aeromonas hydrophila, a Proteus species, two species of Klebsiella (Klebsiella oxytoca and Klebsiella pneumoniae), Citrobacter freundii and an Enterococcus species.