What is Pasteurella Multocida Infection

Pasteurella multocida is a type of bacteria that can cause a skin infection. The skin infection may spread into the joints, bones, and tissues that connect muscles to bones (tendons). The infection may also spread to:

• The surface of the brain (meningitis).
• The blood. This is rare. If the infection does spread to your blood, you may develop a heart infection (endocarditis).

Infection with Pasteurella multocida can be treated with antibiotic medicine. It is important to get treatment as soon as possible so that more serious symptoms or conditions do not develop. This condition cannot spread from person to person (is not contagious).

What are the causes?

This infection is caused by the Pasteurella multocida bacteria. You may become infected through a bite or a scratch from an animal that carries the bacteria in its saliva. You may also become infected after an infected animal licks an open skin wound (like a cut or scratch) or licks near your eyes, nose, or mouth.

The following animals can carry the bacteria:

• Cats and dogs. Most cats and many dogs have the bacteria in their mouths.
• Poultry, such as chickens and turkeys.
• Livestock, such as cows, horses, and sheep.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in people who:

• Live with a dog or cat.
• Work with live poultry or livestock.
• Have a weak disease-fighting system (immune system).
• Have a sore or an open wound.
• Have liver disease.
• Have a respiratory illness.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms usually start within 24 hours after contact with an infected animal. Symptoms include:

• Pain, redness, warmth, and swelling (cellulitis) around the bite, cut, or scratch.
• Swollen glands near the bite, cut, or scratch.
• Fluid leaking from the bite, cut, or scratch area.
• Fever.

Symptoms of a more complicated disease may develop later. These may include:

• Joint pain. This can make it hard for you to move.
• Bone pain.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms and medical history.
• A physical exam.
• Removal of fluid samples from a wound or a joint, to be tested for bacteria.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests, such as CT scan or MRI.

How is this treated?

This condition is treated with antibiotic medicines. These medicines may be given by mouth (orally) or through an IV at the hospital, depending on the severity and location of your infection. You may also need a tetanus shot to help prevent further infection. If you have a wound, such as a bite or scratch, your health care provider may cover it with a bandage (dressing).

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Take other over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

Wound care

• If you have a wound, follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your dressing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
• Check your wound every day for signs that the infection is getting worse. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

General instructions

• Rest and return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• To prevent future infections:
  • Avoid close contact with animals, including pets, especially when you have open wounds.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after every time you have contact with an animal.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if you:

• Received a tetanus shot during treatment and you have any of the following at your injection site:
  • Swelling.
  • Severe pain.
  • Redness.
  • Bleeding.
• Have any of the following:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain around your wound.
  • More fluid or blood coming from your wound.
  • Pus or a bad smell coming from your wound.
  • Trouble moving the affected area.
  • Swollen joints.
• Notice that your wound feels warm to the touch.

Get help right away if you have:

• A bad headache.
• A stiff neck.
• Chest pain.
• Difficulty breathing.

Summary

• Pasteurella multocida is a type of bacteria that can cause a skin infection. The skin infection may spread into the joints, bones, and tissues that connect muscles to bones (tendons).
• You may become infected through a bite or a scratch from an animal that carries the bacteria in its saliva.
• This condition is treated with antibiotic medicines.
• Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• If you have a wound, follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound.