LATE-ONSET NEONATAL PASTEURELLA-MULTOCIDA MENINGITIS

A case of Pasteurella multicoida meningitis in a 27-day-old infant is reported. The infant was probably contaminated by a pet and recovered under parenteral antimicrobial therapy. One-third of Pasteurella multocida infections are invasive. Neuromeningeal involvement is uncommon. The source of contamination is often a pet (cat, dog), but a head injury or an endocranial surgical procedure are other possible causes. In pediatric patients, Pasteurella multocida meningitis is more common before one year of age. Early-onset neonatal forms can be caused by vertical transmission of the pathogen. Pasteurella multocida is susceptible to the antimicrobials usually given to infants with suppurative meningitis. The prevention of these severe infections requires separation of neonates and infants from pets.