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Corneal ulcer caused by Pasteurella multocida

Insights

A dog-related eye injury led to a severe corneal ulcer in a Graves' disease patient. Pasteurella multocida, transferred from the patient, caused a similar ulcer in a rabbit model, highlighting zoonotic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology
  • Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

  • Graves' disease and exophthalmos can increase ocular surface vulnerability.
  • Ocular trauma, even minor, can predispose to microbial keratitis.

Observation:

  • A 44-year-old woman with Graves' disease and exophthalmos sustained a corneal ulcer after ocular trauma from a pet dog.
  • Pasteurella multocida was identified as the causative agent of the corneal ulcer.

Findings:

  • Experimental transfer of Pasteurella multocida from the patient to an abraded rabbit cornea successfully replicated a similar corneal ulcer and hypopyon.
  • This demonstrates the pathogenicity of Pasteurella multocida in corneal infections.

Implications:

  • Highlights the risk of zoonotic transmission of ocular pathogens from pets to humans.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering animal contact in cases of severe microbial keratitis, especially in immunocompromised or predisposed individuals.
  • Suggests Pasteurella multocida as a potential cause of severe keratitis following minor ocular trauma.

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