[Meningitis and osteitis caused by Pasteurella multocida in a three-month-old infant]

Related Experiment Videos

I Perrin1, P Blanc, T Karam

  • 1Service de pédiatrie, CHI Poissy-Saint-Germain, site de Poissy, 10, rue du Champ-Gaillard, 78300 Poissy, France. pyassisped@chi-poissy-st-germain.fr

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|July 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Pasteurella multocida, a bacterium often from animal bites, caused rare meningitis and hip osteitis in an infant. Licking by a family dog transmitted the infection, which resolved with antibiotic treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Pasteurella multocida commonly causes localized infections post-animal bite.
  • Meningitis in infants is a serious condition, often caused by specific bacterial pathogens.
  • This case highlights a less common presentation of Pasteurella multocida infection.

Observation:

  • A three-month-old infant presented with bacterial meningitis and hip osteitis.
  • Cultures from cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and joint fluid were positive for Pasteurella multocida.
  • The suspected transmission route was direct contact via licking from a family dog.

Findings:

  • Pasteurella multocida can cause severe invasive infections, including meningitis and osteitis, in infants.
  • Infection was successfully treated with a prolonged course of intravenous and oral antibiotics.
  • Neurological complications were noted initially but resolved favorably.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the risk of Pasteurella multocida transmission through non-bite animal contact, such as licking.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes in infant Pasteurella multocida infections.
  • Highlights the importance of considering zoonotic infections in pediatric meningitis and osteitis cases.

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
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...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...