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Pneumonia due to Pasteurella multocida, case report and considerations
Elizabeth Espinosa Vega1, Alfredo Fonseca Negrín1, Luis Ángel Iglesias Sánchez2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, La Gomera, Spain.
Abstract:
Community acquired pneumonia is frequent in the elderly but a pathogen is identified in less than fifty per cent of the cases. It is rarely produced by Pasteurella multocida, a Gram-negative oral commensal of many dogs and cats. We report the case of an elderly man with chronic obstructive respiratory disease who owned a dog and developed severe pneumonia due to P. multocida.
Insights
Community acquired pneumonia is common in older adults, but the cause is often unknown. This case highlights a rare instance of severe pneumonia in an elderly man caused by Pasteurella multocida, a bacterium typically found in pets.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant health concern in the elderly population.
- Pathogen identification in elderly CAP cases remains challenging, with less than 50% of cases yielding a definitive diagnosis.
- Pasteurella multocida, a Gram-negative bacterium, is an uncommon cause of pneumonia in humans.
Observation:
- A case study involving an elderly male patient with a history of chronic obstructive respiratory disease (CORD).
- The patient was a dog owner, suggesting potential zoonotic exposure.
- The patient presented with severe pneumonia.
Findings:
- The severe pneumonia was diagnosed to be caused by Pasteurella multocida.
- This finding is notable as P. multocida is a rare pathogen for pneumonia, especially in the elderly.
- The patient's co-morbidity (CORD) and pet ownership (dog) are key factors in this case.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering zoonotic sources, like pet-associated bacteria, in elderly patients with CAP, even when pathogens are rarely identified.
- Highlights the need for broader diagnostic considerations in elderly pneumonia cases, including less common bacterial culprits.
- Suggests potential transmission routes of P. multocida from domestic animals to vulnerable human populations, particularly those with underlying respiratory conditions.
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