It seems crocodile attacks aren't just life-threatening in their initial ferocity – the bacteria the reptiles carry also has a bite.
A new study, published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia, examined the medical records of 14 of the 15 patients attacked by crocodiles who presented to Cairns Hospital after 1990, looking at their treatment for infections.
Patients were aged from eight years old to 70 years old – and 13 were males.
Wild saltwater crocodiles were responsible for seven attacks, farmed saltwater crocodiles for five and wild freshwater crocodiles for two.
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At presentation, nine patients had wound swabs collected and skin and soft tissue infections were already clinically apparent in four people.
The study reveals 11 out of the 14 patients had surgery, with three requiring "repeat debridement" – or another procedure to remove dead tissue or foreign material from their wounds.
All patients required broad-spectrum antibiotics but the type varied.
No patients developed metastatic infection, or an infection spreading to another part of their body.
And all patients survived, although two people "lost digits".
The researchers said the findings highlighted the diversity of organisms found in wounds caused by crocodile attacks.
"These bacteria can originate from the crocodile's oral flora, the patient's skin or can be acquired from the water or soil during the attack," the report said.
The authors said the excellent outcomes were probably due to prompt, effective surgical care and antibiotics may have prevented infection complications.
They concluded an empirical regimen of oral amoxycilline-clavulanate for high-risk wounds and mild infections appeared appropriate, reserving intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam for more severe infection.
Tetanus immunisations should also be considered, the report's authors said.
The report follows a 1992 study of survivors of crocodile attacks from the Northern Territory, where six of 11 patients developed wound infections.
Katter's Australian Party plans to introduce legislation to tackle the crocodile problem in north Queensland with culling, safari hunting, removal and egg collection.
Crocodiles have been on the agenda lately, with a pet dog taken by a croc at Belvedere, north of Innisfail, a spear fisherman killed on the Russell River and a teenager attacked after jumping into croc-infested waters.
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