Pasteurella Multocida Infection in Humans

Abstract

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is an immobile, anaerobic, Gram-negative coccobacillus fermenting bacterium. This pathogen is commonly prevalent in the upper airways of healthy pets, such as cats and dogs, but was also confirmed in domestic cattle, rabbits, pigs, birds, and various wild animals. Infection in humans occurs as a result of biting, scratching, or licking by animals and contact with nasopharyngeal secretions. Inflammation at the site of infection develops within the first day from the injury. It is usually confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue but, in particular situations, may spread to other organs and manifest as a severe systemic infection. Careful history-taking and microbiological confirmation of the infection enable diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Any wound resulting from an animal bite should be disinfected. The preferred and highly effective treatment against local P. multocida infection is penicillin or its derivatives. The prognosis for P. multocida infections depends on the infected site and the patient’s comorbidities.

Homozygosity for a Rare Plec Variant Suggests a Contributory Role in Congenital Insensitivity to Pain

“…At the age of 15, patient 1 was hospitalized for a few weeks due to a rapid cellulitis at the site of an injury caused by a bite from his domestic cat. It is worth noting that the infection was caused by Pasteurella multocida , an immobile, anaerobic, Gram-negative coccobacillus fermenting bacterium belonging to the Pasteurellaceae family [ 105 ]. It is therefore possible that the homozygous loss of Plec also increased the patient’s susceptibility to Pasteurella multocida infection.…”