Spinal epidural abscess caused by Pasteurella multocida mimicking aortic dissection: a case report

BMC Infectious Diseases

Koji Oh¹  Hiroki Konishi¹  Takafumi Inoue¹  Chihiro Nishio¹  Toshihiko Saito² 

[1]grid.415419.c, Department of General Internal Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center West Hospital, Hyogo, Japan

[2]grid.415419.c, Department of Orthopedics, Kobe City Medical Center West Hospital, Hyogo, Japan

关键词: Pasteurella multocida;    Zoonosis;    Bacteremia;    Spinal epidural abscess;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12879-019-4097-x

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPasteurella multocida (P. multocida) forms part of the normal flora of many animals. Although it is a common causative agent of skin and soft tissue infection after an animal bite or scratch, in rare cases it can cause spinal infections in humans.Case presentationA 68-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with fever and sudden onset of severe back pain mimicking aortic dissection. No findings related to the pain were revealed on enhanced computed tomography or initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine. The patient was found to be bacteremic with P. multocida, although she had no apparent injury related to animal contact. Repeated evaluation by MRI with gadolinium-contrast established the diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess. The patient was cured by the rapid initiation of antimicrobial therapy without surgery.ConclusionsWe describe the successful treatment of an individual with a spinal epidural abscess due to P. multocida without surgery. P. multocida infections may occur as sudden presentations. Obtaining the patient history of recent animal contact is essential. Repeated MRI evaluation may be required when spinal infections are suspected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report which describes a case of spinal epidural abscess due to this organism.

【 授权许可】

CC BY