P. multocida transmitted through casual pet contact

San Francisco-Veterinarians are advised to take precautions againstthe bacteria Pasteurella multocida, which can be transmitted through moderatelycasual contact with pets, reports a New England Journal of Medicine article.

Once thought to be transmitted only through the saliva of animal bites,an investigation at the University of California, San Francisco (UC) revealsa post-surgical infection occurred in a patient's neck wound after he sleptwith his dogs.

The 59-year-old man acquired an infection five days after being dischargedfollowing surgery. Blood cultures revealed P. multocida microbes that matchedthe bacterial strains found in his pets, states the journal's August 16article.

Although only limited documented cases of DVM infections exist, manyanimals can harbor P. multocida germs and veterinarians should take precautionarymeasures, says the article's co-author Laurel Gibbs, MT.

To avoid P. multocida infections, Gibbs advises veterinarians to washtheir hands in between patients and to keep examination areas sterile.

"Veterinarians are aware of picking up dogs germs so this is somethingI'm sure they already know," she says. "But it's good to knowthat this bacteria is out there and that it can be picked up not only inbites, but in cuts and scrapes, too."

Symptoms of P. multocida infection include redness, swelling and lightdischarge from the wound area. The sensitive organism usually can be eradicatedwith penicillin.

Read Associate Editor Jennifer Fiala's complete story in the Octoberissue of DVM Newsmagazine.