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Beware of dogs licking ears
Lancet (London, England)
|October 16, 1999
Summary
A dog lick caused Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a patient with chronic ear discharge. Individuals with perforated tympanic membranes should prevent animal ear licking to avoid infection.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
- Zoonotic Infections
Background:
- Chronic purulent otorrhoea is an persistent ear discharge.
- Pasteurella multocida is a bacterium commonly found in animals.
- Meningitis is a serious infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Observation:
- A patient presented with right-sided chronic purulent otorrhoea.
- The patient subsequently developed meningitis.
- The causative agent was identified as Pasteurella multocida.
Findings:
- The Pasteurella multocida infection was linked to a dog that frequently licked the patient's ear.
- This suggests a zoonotic transmission route from the dog to the patient.
- The patient's chronic purulent otorrhoea and likely perforated tympanic membrane facilitated the infection.
Implications:
- Patients with perforated tympanic membranes are at increased risk of ear infections from animal saliva.
- Preventive measures, such as avoiding animal ear licking, are crucial for at-risk individuals.
- This case highlights the importance of considering zoonotic transmission in ear infections, especially in patients with pre-existing ear conditions.
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