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Pasteurella multocida meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent adult with multiple cat scratches
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 04:40 authored by David Alistair Clarke, Angela McBride, Michael Kelsey, Ben KillingleyWe present the case of a 49-year-old woman admitted to our Acute Medical Unit with a 2-day history of fever, vomiting and confusion. The patient was alcohol dependent and had sustained several scratches from her pet cat, which her pet dog had licked. She deteriorated in the Emergency Department-developing high fever, worsening confusion and meningism. Blood cultures were taken and broad spectrum antibiotics commenced prior to CT scanning and diagnostic lumbar puncture. Blood cultures and CSF 16S ribosomal PCR confirmed a diagnosis of Pasteurella multocida bacteraemia and meningoencephalitis. The patient was successfully treated with 14 days of intravenous antibiotics. P multocida is a Gram-negative coccobacillus which frequently colonises the nasopharynx of animals; it is a recognised but very rare cause of meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent adults. This case highlights the need to consider P multocida infection in patients with prior animal contact, regardless of their immune status.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
BMJ Case ReportsISSN
1757-790XPublisher
BMJ Publishing GroupExternal DOI
Volume
2017Page range
a219021Event location
EnglandDepartment affiliated with
- Global Health and Infection Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes