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Rapidly progressive and lethal septicemia due to infection with Pasteurella multocida in an infant

Fallbericht: Rasch progressive und tödliche Sepsis aufgrund einer Infektion mit Pasteurella multocida bei einem Säugling

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Zusammenfassung

Wir berichten über den Fall einer rasch progressiven Pneumonie und einer Meningoencephalitis bei einem zwei Monate alten, mit Muttermilch gestillten Säugling. Die mikrobiologische Kultur des Liquor cerebrospinalis zeigte Wachstum von Pasteurella multocida. Weder klinisch noch autoptisch konnte eine Biss- oder Kratzverletzung als Eintrittspforte identifiziert werden. Daher muss eine aerogene Tröpfcheninfektion durch ein Haustier erwogen werden. Infektionen mit Pasteurella multocida wurden wiederholt bei Kindern und älteren Personen beschrieben. Rasch progressive und tödliche Infektionen bei Kindern sind bisher jedoch selten beschrieben worden. Diese können durch adäquate Hygienemaßnahmen verhindert werden.

Summary

We report a case of rapidly progressive pneumonia and meningoencephalitis in a 2-month-old breastfed infant. Culture of cerebrospinal fluid was positive for Pasteurella multocida. No bite or scratch injury as site of entrance could be detected clinically or at autopsy, therefore aerogenic transmission in droplets from a household pet must be considered. Infections with P. multocida have been frequently reported in infants and elderly people; however, rapidly progressive and lethal infections in infants have been described only rarely. These infections must be regarded as preventable through adequate measures of hygiene.

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Correspondence to Johannes Haybaeck.

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Haybaeck, J., Schindler, C., Braza, P. et al. Rapidly progressive and lethal septicemia due to infection with Pasteurella multocida in an infant. Wien Klin Wochenschr 121, 216–219 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-009-1147-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-009-1147-1

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