Pasteurella multocida meningitis and septic arthritis secondary to a cat bite

Abstract

Animal bites are seen almost daily in the emergency department, and the majority heal without complication. Pasteurella multocida is frequently the causative organism of localized wound infections and cellulitis in this patient population. P. multocida infection is usually associated with close contact with pets, such as dogs and cats, that harbor this organism as normal oral flora. Meningitis and septic arthritis are very rare sequelae of P. multocida infection. This case report presents a patient with P. multocida bacteremia, meningitis, and septic arthritis developing together as a complication of a cat bite.