Florida Man Develops “Flesh-Eating” Infection After Relative Bites His Leg

Scanning electron microscopic image of Group A Strep bacteriaPhoto byWikimedia

A 52-year-old man from Riverview, Florida, named Donnie Adams, experienced a horrifying ordeal when he developed a rampant "flesh-eating" infection that tore through his thigh.

The incident occurred just days after a family gathering where Adams had intervened in a fight and was bitten by a relative.

According to The Tampa Bay Times, Adams first noticed a small bump on his left thigh two days after the altercation. Suspecting it to be a bite mark, he immediately sought medical attention at a local emergency room, where he received a tetanus shot and antibiotics to prevent any complications.

However, three days later, Adams's condition worsened significantly. He described his leg as being very sore, making it impossible to walk. Concerned, he returned to HCA Florida Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg, where doctors determined that immediate surgery was necessary.

Dr. Fritz Brink, a general surgeon and wound care specialist, treated Adams and was alarmed to witness gray fluid seeping out of his leg during the surgery.

This fluid is a telltale sign of necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as a "flesh-eating" infection.

Necrotizing fasciitis is typically caused by bacteria such as group A Streptococcus and Vibrio vulnificus, which can enter the body through breaks in the skin. If left untreated, the infection can lead to life-threatening complications, including sepsis and organ failure.

Adams underwent extensive surgery, with around 70% of the affected tissue being removed from the front of his thigh. He required a second surgery to address missed infected flesh.

After spending three weeks recovering in the hospital, Adams was discharged but needed an additional six months of care to ensure proper healing.

The doctors at HCA Florida Northside Hospital stated that they had never encountered a case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by a human bite. It remains unclear whether the biting relative's mouth harbored the bacteria or if the infection occurred through another means.

Although Adams's leg has healed, it bears significant scarring and occasionally causes him pain. He expressed that the parties involved in the fight were remorseful for their actions.