Abstract
Pasteurella multocida (PM) is a gram-negative bacterium known to cause soft tissue infections, especially after animal bites, with some human infections occurring after animal exposure, usually via inhalation of contaminated secretions. PM pneumonia mainly affects those who are immunocompromised and in individuals with comorbidities. The spectrum of pulmonary disease due to PM is wide, ranging from pneumonia to empyema. The clinical features are indistinguishable from other pathogens, however, hemoptysis seldom occurs as a consequence of PM infection. We present a case of PM pneumonia in an immunocompetent host who had a chief complaint of hemoptysis, making this the sixth documented case to ever-present with hemoptysis.
Highlights
Pasteurella multocida (PM) is a gram-negative coccobacillus that colonizes the oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract of many wild and domestic mammals especially cats and dogs [1,2]
While most cases present with typical signs of pneumonia, we report a patient presenting with hemoptysis
Most patients with PM pulmonary infections are elderly with underlying lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, or malignancy [1,8]
Summary
Pasteurella multocida (PM) is a gram-negative coccobacillus that colonizes the oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract of many wild and domestic mammals especially cats and dogs [1,2]. Four days prior to admission, he sustained a dog bite to his hand that didn’t require medical attention. He stated that he had a subjective fever, chills, difficulty breathing, headache, and had three watery bowel movements a day. He has tested one year ago for tuberculosis (TB) and it was negative. The patient’s clinical status significantly improved, and laboratory findings trended down to normal limits. He was switched to amoxicillin at the time of discharge to complete a 10-day treatment course.
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