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[Pasteurella multocida lung abscess. Study of a case with demonstration of a cat as vector]

V Grangeon1, H Lelièvre, M Celard

  • 1Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Louis Pradel, Lyon.

Insights

A lung abscess caused by Pasteurella multocida was identified in a patient using fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Molecular analysis confirmed the bacteria strain originated from the patient's cat.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Lung abscesses are serious infections, often caused by aspiration of oropharyngeal bacteria.
  • Pasteurella multocida is a bacterium commonly found in the respiratory and oral tracts of domestic animals, particularly cats.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with symptoms suggestive of a lung abscess.
  • Fiberoptic bronchoscopy allowed for the collection of bronchial secretions for analysis.
  • Elevated antibody titers against Pasteurella multocida were detected in the patient.

Findings:

  • Pasteurella multocida was successfully isolated from the patient's bronchial secretions.
  • Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) confirmed the genetic identity between the bacterial strain from the patient and a strain isolated from the patient's cat.
  • Antibodies against Pasteurella multocida were absent in control subjects, including the patient's wife.

Implications:

  • This case highlights Pasteurella multocida as a potential pathogen in human lung abscesses, especially in individuals with animal contact.
  • The findings underscore the importance of considering zoonotic sources in the etiology of pulmonary infections.
  • Molecular typing methods are crucial for confirming the source of infection and understanding transmission pathways.

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