| Sub-title | |
| Authors | D Pace S Attard Montalto |
| Abstract | Pasteurella multocida is a Gram negative coccobacillus which is a common commensal in the upper respiratory tract of cats and dogs. Infections by Pasteurella multocida are still not notifiable so incidence and prevalence data are not available. Human infection usually follows animal contact; however rare cases of infections without dog or cat exposure have been reported. This is a case report of a neonate born with congenital Pasteurella multocida infection. A term female infant was delivered by emergency Caesarean section because of a prolonged first stage of labour. Her mother was febrile during labour, her membranes had ruptured 15 hours before delivery and she had foul smelling liquor. At birth the neonate needed to be resuscitated due to an absent respiratory effort. Subsequently she was noted to be tachypnoeic and hypotonic. Culture of the neonates cerebrospinal fluid was negative; however Pasteurella multocida was isolated from the blood. She was treated with a 10 day course of co-amoxiclav and cefotaxime, and did not suffer any sequelae. Her mother denied any contact with cats or dogs. This neonate was born with Pasteurella multocida septicaemia associated with chorioamnionitis, most probably acquired vertically from asymptomatic maternal vaginal colonisation. A negative maternal history of contact with cats or dogs does not exclude the possibility of this zoonotic infection. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
| Page | |
| Date | |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | case report, chorioamnionitis, pasteurella multocida, neonatal zoonosis |