Erysipelas-like cellulitis with Pasteurella multocida bacteremia after a cat bite

Abstract

A 73-year-old female patient presented with Pasteurella multocida erysipelas-like cellulitis, bacteremia, and shock. The onset of the disease occurred 24 h after a cat bit her to the right lower leg. Initially, the picture of bacteremia and shock developed, with minimal local cellulitis. Pasteurella multocida grew in blood culture. A combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid was therapeutically successful in respect that the signs of bacteremia and shock disappeared. However, extensive erysipelas-like cellulitis developed on the bitten leg within the next 2 days. The disease was efficiently treated with penicillin G combined with netilmicin and administered for 10 days. This report documents the first case of Pasteurella multocida erysipelas-like cellulitis with bacteremia and shock.