Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Molecular identification and epidemiological tracing of Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a baby.
- Journal:
- Journal of clinical microbiology
- Year:
- 2000
- Authors:
- Boerlin, P et al.
- Affiliation:
- Institute for Veterinary Bacteriology
Plain-English summary
This report describes a case of a 1-month-old baby who developed meningitis, which is an infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, caused by a bacteria called Pasteurella multocida. The baby had been in close contact with two dogs and a cat but had no known injuries from these animals. Testing showed that the bacteria from the baby matched the strain found in the cat's tonsils, suggesting that the cat was likely the source of the infection. This case highlights the importance of practicing good hygiene when living with pets to reduce the risk of infections that can be passed from animals to humans. The treatment and outcome for the baby were not detailed in the abstract.
Abstract
We report a case of Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a 1-month-old baby exposed to close contact with two dogs and a cat but without any known history of injury by these animals. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the isolate from the baby allowed identification at the subspecies level and pointed to the cat as a possible source of infection. Molecular typing of Pasteurella isolates from the animals, from the baby, and from unrelated animals clearly confirmed that the cat harbored the same P. multocida subsp. septica strain on its tonsils as the one isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of the baby. This case stresses the necessity of informing susceptible hosts at risk of contracting zoonotic agents about some basic hygiene rules when keeping pets. In addition, this study illustrates the usefulness of molecular methods for identification and epidemiological tracing of Pasteurella isolates.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10699029/