Puerperal Pasteurella multocida septicemia

Pasteurella multocida septicemia and subsequent Pasteurella dagmatis septicemia in a diabetic patient

Pasteurella species may cause zoonotic infections of humans. Serious systemic infections with these organisms are unusual, but they may occur in individuals with predisposing underlying illnesses. Occurrences of bacteremia due to P. multocida are infrequent, and P. dagmatis bacteremia is even rarer. We report independent occurrences of P. multocida and P. dagmatis septicemia in the same diabetic patient after contact with two pet dogs. We review the history of Pasteurella species and discuss the biochemical and clinical features of its association with zoonosis.

Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a two-day old neonate

A normal full-term baby boy, born by vaginal delivery, became ill on day 2 with fever and failure to feed. CSF examination revealed 260 x 10(6)/l leucocytes, mainly mononuclears, protein 2 g/l and glucose zero. Pasteurella multocida was isolated in pure culture from the baby's CSF, blood and umbilicus and from the mother's vagina. The baby was treated with i.v. penicillin for 7 weeks. Progress was complicated by mild hydrocephalus, which resolved, and prolonged low grade fever. Recovery was complete, without neurological sequelae. This case illustrates that P. multocida can infect the vagina where it presents a hazard to a newborn infant delivered vaginally. Early diagnosis is critical, intravenous high dose penicillin being the treatment of choice.