[Acute necrotizing cutaneous streptococcal infection following bites or scratch by dog or cat].

INTRODUCTION

Domestic animal bites or scratches are quite frequent. Among banal bacteria isolated from infected bites or scratches, group A streptococcus seems to be frequently associated with severe infections.

CASE REPORTS

Three cases of acute necrotizing cutaneous streptococcal infections, following cat or dog bite or scratch are reported. Twice, group A streptococcus was isolated from cutaneous swabs. In the third case, previous antibiotic therapy had sterilised bacteriological samples. Diagnosis was ascertained on the basis of clinical presentation and significant antistreptococcal antibodies elevation. Skin necrosis around the inoculation area was observed in the 3 cases. Cicatrisation required an average of two months under appropriate treatment.

DISCUSSION

An evolution towards cutaneous necrosis localized to the initially injured area is common to these three cases. This peculiar evolution is worth to be known in order to choose an effective anti streptococcal antibiotherapy whenever domestic animals bites and scratches are to be treated.