What is the most appropriate treatment for axillary adenitis in a 3-year-old after dog puncture wounds?

What is the most appropriate treatment for axillary adenitis in a 3-year-old after dog puncture wounds?

• A. Amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium
• B. Dicloxacillin
• C. Cephalexin
• D. Rabies immune globulin

Answer: (A)

In pediatric dog-bite infections, you need an antibiotic that covers the typical oral flora of dogs, including Pasteurella and anaerobes, as well as staphylococci and streptococci. Amoxicillin-clavulanate provides broad coverage against Pasteurella canis and anaerobic organisms, along with common skin flora, making it the best choice for a bite-related infection such as axillary adenitis in a 3-year-old. Dicloxacillin and cephalexin mainly cover Gram-positive organisms (staph and strep) and do not reliably cover Pasteurella or anaerobes, which limits their effectiveness for dog-bite infections. Rabies immune globulin is not used to treat bacterial infections; it’s for rabies exposure risk and would be addressed separately from antibiotic therapy. Wound care and tetanus status are also important, but the antibiotic should provide broad protection against the organisms commonly implicated in dog bites.

In pediatric dog-bite infections, you need an antibiotic that covers the typical oral flora of dogs, including Pasteurella and anaerobes, as well as staphylococci and streptococci. Amoxicillin-clavulanate provides broad coverage against Pasteurella canis and anaerobic organisms, along with common skin flora, making it the best choice for a bite-related infection such as axillary adenitis in a 3-year-old. Dicloxacillin and cephalexin mainly cover Gram-positive organisms (staph and strep) and do not reliably cover Pasteurella or anaerobes, which limits their effectiveness for dog-bite infections. Rabies immune globulin is not used to treat bacterial infections; it’s for rabies exposure risk and would be addressed separately from antibiotic therapy. Wound care and tetanus status are also important, but the antibiotic should provide broad protection against the organisms commonly implicated in dog bites.