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First Fatal Case of Adult Meningoencephalitis Caused by Pasteurella canis: An Autopsy Case Report
Eulalie Pefferkorn1, Lise Pestourie1, Marion Grare2
1Medicolegal Institute of Toulouse, Purpan Hospital, Toulouse, France.
Abstract:
Pasteurella canis is a Gram-negative bacterium commonly found as a commensal organism in the oral cavity of dogs and cats. Human infections are rare and typically occur following skin breaches, with bacteremia reported less frequently. To date, fatal central nervous system infections in adults caused by P. canis have not been reported. We report the case of a 25-year-old immunocompetent man with no significant medical history. The patient developed otitis a few days after his dog licked his ear. Twenty days later, he died at home following a febrile illness with headaches. An autopsy revealed purulent meningitis. Bacteriological cultures from the ear and subdural empyema isolated P. canis and Streptococcus anginosus group. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of fatal adult meningoencephalitis caused by P. canis. The case highlights the pathogen's invasive potential and underscores the importance of prompt evaluation of otitis with neurological involvement.
Insights
Fatal meningitis caused by Pasteurella canis, a dog oral bacterium, is reported in an immunocompetent adult. This rare case highlights the bacterium
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Pasteurella canis is a Gram-negative bacterium, typically a commensal in dogs and cats.
- Human infections are infrequent, usually linked to skin breaches, with rare bacteremia.
- Fatal central nervous system infections in adults due to P. canis have not been previously documented.
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