Pasteurella multocida bacterial meningitis caused by contact with pigs
C López1, P Sanchez-Rubio, A Betrán
1Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital de Barbastro, Carretera de Tarragona-San Sebastián, Barbastro, Huesca, Spain.
Summary
Pasteurella multocida, a common animal bacteria, can cause meningitis, especially after a pig bite. A defect in the lamina cribosa may facilitate this rare infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Pasteurella multocida is a common bacterium found in animal respiratory and digestive tracts.
- Animal exposure is a significant risk factor for Pasteurella infections.
- While typically causing local infections after bites, P. multocida is an uncommon cause of meningitis.
Observation:
- A case study of a 37-year-old man working on a pig farm who developed P. multocida meningitis after a pig bite.
- The patient had a defect in the lamina cribosa, potentially serving as an entry point for infection.
- P. multocida was identified using the API 20E biochemical test.
Findings:
- The case highlights P. multocida as a rare but possible cause of bacterial meningitis.
- The infection could have occurred via the pig bite or through the lamina cribosa defect.
- The identified P. multocida strain demonstrated in vitro susceptibility to a range of common antibiotics, including penicillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, imipenem, and tetracycline.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering P. multocida in meningitis, particularly in individuals with relevant animal exposure.
- Understanding potential routes of infection, such as traumatic injuries or anatomical defects, is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- The broad antibiotic susceptibility suggests effective treatment options are available for P. multocida meningitis.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
31
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...
31
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
88
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...
88
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
45
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...
45
01:18Viral Meningitis
217
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...
217
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
58
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
58
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
1.5K
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...
1.5K