Pasteurellosis

Pasteurellosis is a skin infection (cellulitis) at the site of a dog or cat bite. Sepsis is a complication. The bacteria are sensitive to penicillin. Other complications of untreated bite wounds are: abscesses, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, pericarditis, and meningitis.

CASES/YEAR
30,780 (US); 615,600 (Global)
CATEGORY
Zoonoses
AGENT TYPE
Bacteria
OTHER NAMES
Pasteurella multocida infection;
ACUITY
Acute-Moderate
INCUBATION
Within 24 hours
INITIAL SYMPTOMS
Skin infection at site of dog or cat bite;
PRECAUTIONS
COMMENTS
Shortly after being bitten by a cat or a dog (usually a cat), the patient develops cellulitis. Sepsis is a complication. These bacteria are sensitive to penicillin. Other possible complications of untreated bite wounds are: abscesses, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, pericarditis, and meningitis. Livestock and poultry may also be infected. [ID, p. 1698-9] Swine may also transmit infection; [PPID 7th Ed., p. 4002] Regional lymphadenopathy occurs in about 30-40% of cases. The most common CNS infection is meningitis, but brain abscesses have been reported. Respiratory tract complications include pneumonia and empyema. [PPID, p. 2775-7] Endocarditis and meningitis are rare complications. [ABX Guide] 70-90% of cats and 50-65% of dogs carry Pasteurella multocida in their mouths. Most cases are skin infections. Inhalation exposures can cause respiratory tract infections. [Harrison ID, p. 493]
DIAGNOSTIC
Culture; Gram stain (gram-negative coccobacilli) or Wright stain (bipolar staining);
SCOPE
Global
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
  • >fever
  • E pharyngitis
  • H lymphadenopathy
  • O conjunctivitis, acute
  • O oculoglandular syndrome
  • S cellulitis or rash, circinate
  • S entry wound with lymph nodes
  • S pustule
  • X cystic or cavitary lesions
  • X pleural effusions
  • *arthritis
  • *brain abscess or lesion
  • *endocarditis
  • *meningitis
  • *osteomyelitis
  • *pericarditis
  • *pneumonia
  • *sepsis
  • *shock
ANTIMICROBIC

Yes

VACCINE

No

ENTRY
Animal Bite
RESERVOIR
Birds and Poultry, Cattle, Goats and Sheep, Cats, Dogs, Swine
RISK FACTORS
  • Handle dog or cat (bite or scratch)
DRUG LINK
Merck Manual: Cellulitis
REFERENCES FOR CASES/YEAR
1. (US) Guesstimate: 1/20 X global cases/yr;
2. (Global) Cases reported in England and Wales: 466 (2010), 538 (2011), and 535 (2012); [Public Health England website] Average for England & Wales = 513; Assumption: Incidence worldwide is same as in England & Wales with population of about 50 million and global population of about 6000 million (120 X larger); Calculate: 513 X 120 = 61560; Use correction factor of 10 for reported diseases; 61560 X 10 = 615600;