Overview.
Hemorrhagic septicemic Pasteurella infection is an infectious disease caused by hemorrhagic septicemic Pasteurella that predominantly involves the skin, also known as Pasteurella. The disease can present as skin abscesses, chronic respiratory infections, and sepsis, with limited skin abscesses being the most common type of infection. Redness, swelling, pain and tenderness appear in the wound within a few hours of the animal bite, and the skin lesion rapidly enlarges, breaks down, and discharges grayish-yellow, bloody pus from one or more sinus tracts, accompanied by significant pain and tenderness.
Etiology
The bacterium is widely distributed in the respiratory and intestinal tracts of many domestic or wild animals as part of the normal flora of the orofacial region of cats, dogs, and rats, and can cause hemorrhagic septicemia when host resistance is lowered. Most human infections develop after being bitten or scratched by cats, dogs or other animals.
Symptoms.
The disease may present as skin abscesses, chronic respiratory infections, and sepsis, with limited skin abscesses being the most common type of infection. Redness, swelling, pain and tenderness appear in the wound within a few hours after the animal bite, and the skin lesion rapidly enlarges, breaks down, and discharges grayish-yellow, bloody pus from one or more sinus tracts, accompanied by marked pain and tenderness. The lesions mostly occur on the buttocks and lower legs. In some cases, the infected wounds are deep enough to cause osteomyelitis, synovitis, and in a few cases, sepsis. The bacterium can cause upper respiratory tract infections, including sinusitis, otitis media, mastoiditis, epiglottitis, and pharyngitis. Patients with underlying lung disease are predisposed to a combination of lower respiratory tract infections and develop pneumonia, lung abscesses, and pyothorax.
Examination
Bacteriologic examination of pus or body fluids is primarily performed.
Diagnosis
Based primarily on history and bacteriologic examination of pus or body fluids. Riesling and Giemsa stains enhance bipolar staining.
Treatment
Systemic use of penicillin and tetracycline with careful debridement and tetanus prophylaxis. Doxycycline may be used if allergic to penicillin. Abscesses are incised and drained.