Steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis secondary to septic arthritis due to Pasteurella multocida in a bull terrier puppy

Abstract

A 3‐month‐old male, entire, English bull terrier was presented for investigation of a 24‐hour history of lethargy, pyrexia and neck pain. Inflammatory cerebrospinal and synovial fluid analyses with identification of Pasteurella multocida in the left stifle were supportive of a steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis (SRMA) and immune‐mediated arthritis secondary to septic arthritis in the left stifle. The patient was successfully treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids. Follow‐up sampling of cerebrospinal and synovial fluids revealed resolution of the septic arthritis and SRMA after 6 weeks of treatment. Medications were tapered and discontinued after 16 weeks of treatment without any signs of relapse. Follow‐up was 16 weeks. This is the first case report of SRMA with the identification of P. multocida septic arthritis as the suspected trigger.

High‐field magnetic resonance imaging findings in a young dog with septic arthritis of the shoulder joint

“…It may be that a multisystemic or generalised infection with Pseudomonas bacteria was the cause of both inflammatory disorders, or that it may have triggered an exaggerated autoimmune response resulting in SRMA. Indeed, the latter has been postulated in literature in a case of a young dog with septic arthritis due to Pasteurella multocida and SRMA 8 . The use of immunosuppressive dosages in the treatment of SRMA could also have predisposed this dog to infection.…”

“…Indeed, the latter has been postulated in literature in a case of a young dog with septic arthritis due to Pasteurella multocida and SRMA. 8 The use of immunosuppressive dosages in the treatment of SRMA could also have predisposed this dog to infection. The chronic history of gastrointestinal issues may have also predisposed the dog to concurrent infections, either via the gastrointestinal tract or other routes.…”