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Pasteurella multocida tonsillitis: case report and review
G D Ramdeen1, R J Smith, E A Smith
1Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville 37920-6999, USA.
Abstract:
Pasteurella multocida is frequently part of the normal flora of the nasopharynx and digestive tract of several wild and domestic animals. Although P. multocida can produce a variety of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, only four previous cases of tonsillitis caused by this organism have been reported. We present a case of pasteurella tonsillitis in a 30-year-old female who was exposed through her cat, which manifested upper respiratory symptoms.
Insights
Pasteurella multocida, a common animal bacteria, can cause tonsillitis. This case highlights a rare instance of tonsillitis in a human linked to feline exposure, presenting with upper respiratory symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Zoonotic Infections
Background:
- Pasteurella multocida is a common bacterium found in the respiratory and digestive tracts of various animals.
- While capable of causing diverse respiratory infections, P. multocida-induced tonsillitis is exceptionally rare in humans, with only four prior reports.
- Animal-to-human transmission of bacterial pathogens remains a significant concern in public health.
Observation:
- A 30-year-old female presented with symptoms suggestive of an upper respiratory tract infection.
- The patient had recent and direct exposure to a domestic cat.
- Clinical evaluation and diagnostic tests confirmed tonsillitis caused by Pasteurella multocida.
Findings:
- This case represents the fifth documented instance of tonsillitis attributed to Pasteurella multocida in a human.
- The patient's infection was likely acquired through direct contact with her pet cat, a known reservoir for the bacteria.
- The clinical presentation mimicked common upper respiratory infections, underscoring the need for thorough etiological investigation.
Implications:
- This case expands the known clinical spectrum of Pasteurella multocida infections in humans.
- It emphasizes the potential for zoonotic transmission of P. multocida from domestic animals, particularly cats, to cause rare infections like tonsillitis.
- Healthcare providers should consider Pasteurella multocida in the differential diagnosis of tonsillitis, especially in individuals with animal contact.