Pasteurella

First described by Lehmann and Neumann, 1899

Pasteurella are Gram-negative, rod-shaped or coccoid, facultatively anaerobic, immotile, and non-spore-forming bacteria. They differ from Enterobacteriaceae in the presence of oxidase and from most similar bacteria in the absence of flagella.

A peculiarity lies in their staining behavior: the polar cap-like reinforcement of the cell body. The most important representative of the genus is

Pasteurella multocida

rarer are:

• P. dagmatis
• P. canis
• P. haemolyticus.

Particularly at risk are owners of pets or occupationally exposed persons.

All Pasteurellae are commensals in the respiratory tract of animals, rarely of humans. Aerobic, microaerobic to facultative anaerobic species exist. The facultative anaerobic species can live in complete oxygen exclusion, whereas the microaerobic ones show the best growth rates.

After an incubation period of 2-14 days (depending on the site of entry of the pathogen), sometimes even after a few hours, erythema and pain appear in the area of the wound. Phlegmonous and abscessing inflammation, as well as regional lymphadenitis may occur. As the infection progresses, tendons, bones and joints may also be affected. In addition, the sinuses and the entire respiratory tract may be affected (chronic bronchitis, pneumonia).

With immunosuppression, septic courses are possible.

In isolated cases conjunctivitis, stomatitis, enteritis, peritonitis, urinary tract infections and myositis.

Bacteremia and/or metastatic spread of lesions may occur.

Culturally from suitable test material

Gas gangrene; staphylococcal, streptococcal, Capnocytophaga infection; rat bite disease; cat scratch disease; tularemia.

Benzylpenicillinis the drug of choice.

1. Kristinsson G (2007) Pasteurella multocida infections. Pediatr Rev 28: 472-473
2. Yokose N et al (2007) Pasteurella multocida sepsis, due to a scratch from a pet cat, in a post-chemotherapy neutropenic patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Int J Hematol 85: 146-148