Bacterial Diseases - PASTEURELLOSIS

(Shipping or transport fever, hemorrhagic septicemia)

AGENT:

Pasteurella multocida, small, nonmotile, polymorphic, gram-positive bacilli

RESERVOIR AND INCIDENCE

Inhabits the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract of many animals (rabbits, rodents, dogs, cats, mice, birds, swine). Dogs and cats are frequently healthy carriers.

TRANSMISSION:

All animals and birds may be colonized by pasteurellas, and human infection occurs by wound infection from bites or scratches. Animal-to-animal transmission may occur by ingestion and inhalation. 1986 case report of meningitis in a woman who kissed her dog (cultured positive for organism) and also had dental caries which was considered to be the route of infection.

DISEASE IN ANIMALS:

Can cause acute pneumonia or septicemic disease in many species. May cause chronic infection of upper respiratory and middle ear especially in the rabbit.

DISEASE IN MAN:

Local inflammation occurs around the bite or scratch, possibly leading to abscess formation with systemic symptoms.

TREATMENT:

Penicillin, tetracycline, or cephalosporin

PREVENTION/CONTROL:

Proper treatment of bite.  Protective clothing (mask, gloves). Euthanize aggressive dogs and cats. Vaccinate cattle and sheep.

Anthrax	Erysipeloid	Salmonellosis
Blastomycosis	Glanders	Shigellosis
Borreliosis	Leprosy	Staphylococcal food poisoning
Brucellosis	Leptospirosis	Streptococcosis
Campylobacteriosis	Listeriosis	Tuberculosis
Capnocytophaga	Lyme Disease	Tularemia
Cat Scratch Disease	Melioidosis	Vibriosis
Clostridial Infections	Pasteurellosis	Yersinia pestis
Colibacillosis	Psittacosis	Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and enterocolitica
Dermatophilosis	Rat Bite Fever