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Pasteurella Bacteria: Causes, Symptoms & Infections - Veterinary & Human Health

Pasteurella multocida is a Gram‑negative coccobacillus commensal in oral/respiratory flora of many animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, livestock). It causes zoonotic infections via bites, scratches, or respiratory exposure.

Human Infections

Skin & Soft Tissue (Most Common)

  • Rapid‑onset cellulitis/abscess within 24 hrs of cat/dog bite.
  • Purulent drainage, lymphangitis, regional lymphadenopathy.
  • Tenosynovitis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis if deep inoculation.

Respiratory

  • Pneumonia, tracheobronchitis—usually in COPD, immunocompromised, or aspirators.

Invasive

  • Bacteremia, meningitis, endocarditis, peritonitis (dialysis catheters)—rare, high mortality.

Animal Disease

  • Cattle: Hemorrhagic septicemia (serotype B:2, E:2), shipping fever (with Mannheimia).
  • Poultry: Fowl cholera.
  • Rabbits: Snuffles (rhinitis), abscesses.
  • Pigs: Atrophic rhinitis, pneumonia.

Risk Factors (Human)

  • Animal bites/scratches (cat > dog)
  • Immunosuppression, liver disease, malignancy
  • Extremes of age
  • Occupational exposure (vets, farmers, animal handlers)

Diagnosis

  • Culture (blood, wound, CSF, joint fluid) – grows on blood/chocolate agar, 24–48 hrs.
  • MALDI‑TOF, PCR for rapid ID.
  • Susceptibility testing guides therapy.

Treatment

InfectionFirst‑LineAlternativesDuration
Skin/soft tissueAmoxicillin‑clavulanateDoxycycline, fluoroquinolone, TMP‑SMX7–10 days
RespiratoryAmoxicillin‑clavulanate or doxycyclineRespiratory fluoroquinolone7–14 days
Septic arthritis/osteomyelitisIV ceftriaxone → oral step‑downBased on susceptibilities2–6 weeks
MeningitisIV ceftriaxone + consider dexamethasoneMeropenem14–21 days

Most strains susceptible to penicillins, 2nd/3rd gen cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, doxycycline, TMP‑SMX. Resistant to macrolides, clindamycin (often), aminoglycosides.

Prevention

  • Prompt wound care: irrigate copiously, débride, avoid primary closure of bites.
  • Prophylactic antibiotics for high‑risk bites (cat, deep, hand, immunocompromised) – amoxicillin‑clavulanate 3–5 days.
  • Animal vaccination (fowl cholera, hemorrhagic septicemia).
  • Hygiene: handwashing, PPE for handlers.

Pasteurella is a classic “one health” pathogen—veterinary and human health intertwined.

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