Pasteurella multocida bacteremia in humans: a clinical report

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Zoonotic Infections

Background:

• Pasteurella multocida is a prevalent bacterial pathogen in animals.
• Human infections are infrequently reported, with limited documentation prior to this study.
• The bacterium is known to cause diverse lesions but liver involvement has not been previously documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of Pasteurella multocida infection in a human, specifically involving liver tissue.
• To investigate the potential for Pasteurella multocida to cause hepatic lesions in humans.
• To emphasize the importance of considering Pasteurella multocida in human infections following animal bites.

Main Methods:

• A case study of a patient presenting with toxic illness after a domestic cat bite.
• Blood culture was performed to identify the causative agent.
• Clinical presentation and diagnostic findings were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Pasteurella multocida was successfully isolated from the patient's blood culture.
• The patient experienced toxic illness and local inflammation post-cat bite.
• This case represents the first documented instance of Pasteurella multocida-associated liver involvement in humans.

Conclusions:

• Pasteurella multocida, despite being common in animals, presents a diagnostic challenge in human medicine.
• Animal bites, particularly from domestic cats, warrant investigation for Pasteurella multocida, especially with signs of inflammation.
• The unusual sensitivity of Pasteurella multocida to penicillin is noted, which is significant for a gram-negative bacterium.