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The microbiology of crocodile attacks in Far North Queensland: implications for empirical antimicrobial therapy

Simon Smith, Richard J Bagshaw and Josh Hanson
Med J Aust 2017; 206 (7): . || doi: 10.5694/mja16.01058
Published online: 17 April 2017

Wound infections are common after crocodile attacks and, therefore, prophylactic antimicrobial therapy is advised. However, there are limited data to guide recommendations for the optimal empirical regimen.


  • 1 Cairns Hospital, Cairns, QLD
  • 2 College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD
  • 3 Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, NT



Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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  • 2. Therapeutic Guidelines. Bite wounds and clenched fist injuries. Melbourne: eTG complete, 2014. https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au/etgcomplete (accessed July 2016).
  • 3. Anderson JR. Characterisation of the oral and cloacal flora of wild and farmed crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus and C. johnstoni) in northern Australia [Honour’s thesis]. Townsville: James Cook University; 1999.
  • 4. Caldicott DG, Croser D, Manolis C, et al. Crocodile attack in Australia: an analysis of its incidence and review of the pathology and management of crocodilian attacks in general. Wilderness Environ Med 2005; 16: 143-159.
  • 5. Wamisho BL, Bates J, Tompkins M, et al. Ward round — crocodile bites in Malawi: microbiology and surgical management. Malawi Med J 2009; 21: 29-31.

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