Pasteurella multocida wound infections--a commonly unrecognized problem in the casualty department

Wounds inflicted by animal bites are a common cause of attendance at casualty units. Many of these injuries are of little consequence, but if they are inappropriately treated, serious consequences can ensue. Pasteurella multocida is a common contaminant of wounds inflicted by domestic animals, in particular cats. We report here a series of six severe P. multocida wound infections, and refer to the current literature on the subject. Strains of P. multocida isolated from some wounds failed to respond to conventional chemotherapy with penicillin.