An Abrasion, a Prosthetic Shoulder, and a Cat with a Licking Tendency: Case Report and Literature Review of P.

William F Abel1, Christopher S Eckman2, Robert P Summers1

  • 1University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 607 Grove Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, USA.

Insights

Pasteurella multocida bacteremia can cause serious infections, especially in patients with prosthetic joints. This case highlights successful aggressive treatment involving antibiotics and surgery for prosthetic joint infection and spinal osteomyelitis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Orthopedics
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Pasteurella multocida is a zoonotic pathogen commonly transmitted by domestic animals.
  • Bacteremia with P. multocida poses a risk for seeding foreign bodies, leading to infections.
  • Previous cases document P. multocida causing native and prosthetic joint infections, meningitis, and neurological complications.

Observation:

  • A patient with multiple comorbidities including immunocompromise, advanced age, and prosthetic joints developed P. multocida bacteremia.
  • The patient subsequently developed a prosthetic joint infection and spinal osteomyelitis.

Findings:

  • Aggressive treatment combining antibiotics and surgical intervention was initiated due to the patient's high-risk profile.
  • The patient achieved a full recovery following the comprehensive treatment regimen.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of prompt and aggressive management of P. multocida bacteremia in high-risk patients.
  • Effective treatment strategies involving a combination of antibiotics and surgery can lead to favorable outcomes even in complex cases.
  • Highlights the potential for P. multocida to cause severe osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infections, necessitating vigilance in diagnosis and treatment.

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