Pasteurella multocida. Infections after domestic animal bites and scratches

JAMA
|July 7, 1975
PubMed

Insights

Pasteurella multocida infections from pet bites are often overlooked but cause rapid cellulitis. Prompt antibiotic treatment, especially with penicillin, effectively manages these potentially dangerous infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacteriology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Pasteurella multocida is a common bacterium found in cats and dogs.
  • Infections typically occur after bites or scratches from these animals.
  • It is frequently underdiagnosed as a cause of infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight Pasteurella multocida as an important pathogen following animal bites.
  • To describe the clinical presentation and potential severity of these infections.
  • To emphasize effective treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical case review and literature synthesis.
  • Description of typical infection progression and complications.
  • Review of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Main Results:

  • Pasteurella multocida causes rapid cellulitis at the site of injury.
  • Infections can lead to chronic deep tissue infections and septicemia.
  • Penicillin is identified as a primary and effective treatment option.

Conclusions:

  • Pasteurella multocida is a significant, though often overlooked, cause of infection after pet-related injuries.
  • Early recognition and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are crucial for preventing severe outcomes.
  • Penicillin demonstrates high efficacy in treating Pasteurella multocida infections.

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes01:30

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes01:24

Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes

The phylum Tenericutes, which includes the single class Mollicutes, comprises bacteria that lack cell walls. The term "Mollicutes" derives from the Latin word mollis, meaning "soft." These organisms are among the smallest known and are commonly referred to as mycoplasmas due to the prominence of the genus Mycoplasma, which includes well-known human pathogens. Despite their inability to stain gram-positively (a result of their lack of cell walls), mycoplasmas are phylogenetically related to the...
Inhalation Anthrax01:25

Inhalation Anthrax

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can be transmitted to humans through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of spores.Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, typically results from direct contact with bacterial spores through skin abrasions and is generally less severe. Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating undercooked or contaminated meat. It affects the mouth, throat, or...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...