COMAT Emergency Medicine Practice Test

Amoxicillin-clavulanate is the recommended antibiotic for bite wounds on the hand, particularly due to its effectiveness against Pasteurella multocida, a common pathogen associated with animal bites, especially from cats and dogs. This combination antibiotic contains amoxicillin, which targets various gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria, and clavulanate, which inhibits beta-lactamase enzymes produced by certain bacteria, enhancing amoxicillin's efficacy.

In the case of bite wounds, the risk of infection is high, and coverage must be broad enough to include not only P. multocida but also other typical flora found in animal mouths, such as bacteria from the genera Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Amoxicillin-clavulanate offers this broader spectrum of coverage. Its pharmacokinetics also support its use in this context, as it provides good tissue penetration and sustained blood levels.

While other antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, and clindamycin have their uses, they do not provide adequate coverage for P. multocida. Ciprofloxacin, being a fluoroquinolone, is less effective against the types of bacteria primarily found in bite wounds. Doxycycline is generally used for different pathogens and may not