Molecular identification and epidemiological tracing of Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a baby

We report a case of Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a 1-month-old baby exposed to close contact with two dogs and a cat but without any known hist ory of injury by these animals. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the isolate fro m the baby allowed identification at the subspecies level and pointed to th e cat as a possible source of infection. Molecular typing of Pasteurella is olates from the animals, from the baby, and from unrelated animals clearly confirmed that the cat harbored the same P. multocida subsp. septica strain on its tonsils as the one isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of the bab y. This case stresses the necessity of informing susceptible hosts at risk of contracting zoonotic agents about some basic hygiene rules when keeping pets. In addition, this study illustrates the usefulness of molecular metho ds for identification and epidemiological tracing of Pasteurella isolates.