A Case of Polyarticular Pasteurella multocida Septic Arthritis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Rheumatology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Septic arthritis is a serious joint infection.
• Pasteurella multocida is a bacteria commonly found in animals.
• Infection typically occurs after animal bites or scratches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of septic arthritis caused by Pasteurella multocida in an immunocompetent individual.
• To emphasize the potential for invasive Pasteurella multocida infections from animal contact without direct inoculation.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 76-year-old male patient.
• Clinical presentation: right leg erythema, inability to weight-bear, right shoulder pain.
• Laboratory analysis: synovial fluid analysis (neutrophils), synovial fluid culture (Pasteurella multocida).

Main Results:

• Patient presented with symptoms suggestive of septic arthritis in the knee and shoulder.
• Synovial fluid analysis revealed abundant neutrophils.
• Knee culture confirmed Pasteurella multocida growth.
• No history of cat scratches or bites was reported.

Conclusions:

• Pasteurella multocida can cause septic arthritis even in immunocompetent individuals.
• Frequent animal contact, without apparent skin trauma, can be a risk factor for Pasteurella multocida infection.
• This case underscores the importance of considering Pasteurella multocida in septic arthritis, especially in patients with animal exposure.