Pasteurella canis sepsis in alcoholic liver cirrhosis without an animal bite or scratch: A case report

Pasteurella canis is a commensal of the oral flora of domestic animals. In humans, it clinically manifests as localised soft-tissue infections and rarely presents with bacteraemia or sepsis. We present a case of a male in his early 30s with pre-existing alcoholic liver cirrhosis who presented with low-grade fever, was allergic to penicillin and reported close contact with three domestic cats with no history of bites, scratches, or local infection. Haematological investigations suggested bacterial sepsis with a diagnostic tap ruling out spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. P. canis was isolated from the blood and was successfully treated with intravenous doxycycline.