Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences

View all Images (6)

Pasteurella multocida infection
See also in: Cellulitis DDx
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Pasteurella multocida infection

See also in: Cellulitis DDx
Contributors: Haya Raef MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Pasteurella multocida is an anaerobic gram-negative coccobacillus that is a common isolate from animal bite wound infections. The most common offending animals are dogs and cats, but Pasteurella has also been transmitted by pigs, rats, lions, opossums, and rabbits and isolated from numerous other animals. The organism most often causes skin and soft tissue infections such as cellulitis and abscesses, but it may also cause bone and joint infections, upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, and sepsis. Immunocompromised individuals are particularly vulnerable to developing severe disease, including bacteremia. Fever is present 20% of the time. Pasteurella multocida soft tissue infections may be complicated by tenosynovitis, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis.

Pasteurella multocida should be suspected rather than the typical causative agents of cellulitis when there is a history of an antecedent animal bite. Often, there will be evidence of the bite, such as a laceration or abrasion, which occurs most often on the upper extremities. Although uncommon, contact with animal saliva through licks has also been reported to be associated with infection.

Codes

ICD10CM:
A28.0 – Pasteurellosis

SNOMEDCT:
197718007 – Infection caused by Pasteurella multocida

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:01/13/2021
Last Updated:01/13/2021
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Pasteurella multocida infection
See also in: Cellulitis DDx
A medical illustration showing key findings of Pasteurella multocida infection : Edema, Painful skin lesions, Regional lymphadenopathy, Unilateral distribution
Clinical image of Pasteurella multocida infection - imageId=231900. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Diffuse erythema and edema on the hand and arm, with many, irregularly-shaped, crusted erosions and ulcers.'
Diffuse erythema and edema on the hand and arm, with many, irregularly-shaped, crusted erosions and ulcers.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.