ABSTRACT
Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal skin infection common in humans around the world and is one of the many zoonotic skin diseases that cat owners are at risk of contracting. This retrospective study was conducted based on a detailed analysis of the results of mycological examination and medical documentation of 56 patients diagnosed with cat-to-human dermatophytoses from January 2017 to July 2022. Zoonotic mycoses were diagnosed more frequently in young people and women. In children, lesions most often occurred in the scalp area, and in adults, in the glabrous skin area. Skin infections caused by Microsporum canis (M. canis) prevailed and were confirmed in 47 patients (83.9%). Trichophyton mentagrophytes (T. mentagrophytes) was found in nine (16.1%) patients. M. canis predominantly caused infections of the scalp, followed by lower limb infections. Hairy scalps were almost exclusively involved in children. The odds of diagnosing M. canis infection compared to T. mentagrophytes infection was significantly higher in the head than in other regions, especially among children. The positive predictive value of a direct macroscopic examination was relatively low.
ABSTRACT
Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is an immobile, anaerobic, Gram-negative coccobacillus fermenting bacterium. This pathogen is commonly prevalent in the upper airways of healthy pets, such as cats and dogs, but was also confirmed in domestic cattle, rabbits, pigs, birds, and various wild animals. Infection in humans occurs as a result of biting, scratching, or licking by animals and contact with nasopharyngeal secretions. Inflammation at the site of infection develops within the first day from the injury. It is usually confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue but, in particular situations, may spread to other organs and manifest as a severe systemic infection. Careful history-taking and microbiological confirmation of the infection enable diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Any wound resulting from an animal bite should be disinfected. The preferred and highly effective treatment against local P. multocida infection is penicillin or its derivatives. The prognosis for P. multocida infections depends on the infected site and the patient's comorbidities.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pasteurella (P.) multocida commonly occurs in the upper respiratory tract of healthy domestic pets, especially cats and dogs. People become infected by biting, scratching or direct contact with the animal's saliva. Inflammation develops in the wound and limits itself to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. P. multocida may cause respiratory tract infections and severe life-threatening complications. The study aimed to identify the lower respiratory infection in humans caused by P. multocida, to determine the potential source of infection and the associated symptoms, comorbidities and applied treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 and September 2021, 14,258 patients underwent 16,255 routine flexible video bronchoscopy (FVB), and the same number of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples for microbiological examination were taken. RESULTS: Microbiological examinations of the BALF only allowed the identification of six patients with P. multocida infection. All persons reported multiple scratches or bites and licking or kissing by their pets in the past. Productive cough with expectoration of mucopurulent discharge was the predominant symptom. CONCLUSIONS: A lower respiratory infection caused by P. multocida is not common in humans. It should be considered particularly in elderly patients with underlying diseases and exposure to cats and dogs.
