An Atypical Presentation of a Pasteurella multocida Infection Following a Cat Bite: A Case Report

Pasteurella multocida is a bacterial organism that commonly causes cellulitis after animal bites, especially cat bites. We report an unusual vesiculopustular infection of the hand following a domestic cat bite.

Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus aureus were cultured from the wound and the patient was treated with amoxicillin–clavulanate potassium. Further history revealed that the patient’s cat had nibbled on her hand. Pasteurella usually is resistant to many of the typical empiric antibiotics used to treat skin infections. Amoxicillin–clavulanate potassium (500 mg 3 times daily) is the treatment of choice for patients who have an infected cat or dog bite with no known bacterial cause. A thorough patient history is needed to promptly arrive at a proper diagnosis for an atypical presentation of a common disease.