A case of cat bite associated Pasteurella multocida prosthetic joint infection

Abstract

Cases of Pasteurella multocida related joint infections are often late in onset, but with the increase in prosthetic joints should be considered, especially in knee infections. Often thought of in relation to animal bites, these infections are further transmitted by nasal secretions, scratches, and licking behavior. We present a case of Pasteurella multocida joint infection in a patient who presented with a classic inciting factor of a cat bite, but presented initially with Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia, which obscured the clinical picture. This patient provides a good reminder of why all patients with cat bites and prosthesis should receive antibiotic prophylaxis post bite, as well as a good reminder to clinicians to keep P. multocida on their differential.

Keywords: Cat bite; Gram negative bacteria; Late joint infections; Pasteurella multocida; Prosthetic joint infection; Total knee replacement.