Derm
Bat Bite
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Bat Bite
See Also
Animal Bite
Rabies
Rabies Prophylaxis
Pathophysiology
Most bats are
Insect
ivores and bite only in self defense
Vampire bats (3 species, esp. Brazil) also bite to drink blood
Rabid bats, however, may be aggressive and bite without provocation
Numerous bat species, but most are small (4 g to 30 g)
Rabies
Transmission
Bites (typically small, often undetectable perforations)
Scratches
Infected
Saliva
in contact with broken skin
Findings
BIte
Wound
Insect
ivore Bat wounds
Small punctures (difficult to identify)
Vampire Bat wounds (e.g. Brazil)
Upper incisors and canine teeth slice skin (instead of puncture) and typically result in bleeding wounds
Labs
Rabies
Identification in Bats
Capturing the bat for testing
Wear work gloves and protective clothing
Wait for bat to land on a surface
Slowly cover the bat with a plastic container
Slide a covering between surface and container
Turn container over and tape cover in place
Punch air holes through container
If bat is not alive, keep cool, but do not freeze
Bring the bat to a designated diagnostic lab
Lab performs
Rabies
virus
Antigen
testing in post-mortem brain tissue
Management
See
Rabies Prophylaxis
Rabies Prophylaxis
Indications
Direct human contact with a bat in which the bat cannot be tested for
Rabies
Possible bat inflicted wound
Bites
Scratches
Infected
Saliva
in contact with broken skin
Possible bat exposure when bat when in same room with patient
Unattended sleeping person
Child, intoxicated patient, cognitively impaired person
References
Fenton (2020) Facets 5(1): 367-80 [PubMed]
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