Antibiotic resistance profiles of oral flora in hippopotami (Hippopotamus amphibius): implications for treatment of human bite wound infections.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is found in aquatic environments throughout sub-Saharan Africa and is known to cause attacks on humans living or working close to water bodies. Victims surviving an attack often suffer from the consequences of severe wound infections caused by the animal's sharp canine teeth.

Objective

Isolation of normal flora bacteria from the oral cavity of common hippopotami (Hippopotamus amphibious) followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing to aid in the identification of a targeted antibiotic treatment regimen for hippopotamus attack victims.

Methods

Oral swabs were collected from 34 free-ranging hippopotami in three reserves within the Greater Kruger National Park Complex in South Africa and cultured for aerobic an

SUBMITTER: Michel AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12016333 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature