From a Dog's Mouth to a Patient's Aorta
Document Type
Abstract
Publication Title
Journal of Vascular Surgery
Abstract
Background: Pasteurella multocida is a zoonotic gram-negative bacillus, commonly transmitted to humans through canine or feline oral and respiratory tract secretions. The bacteria can cause systemic disease, especially in patients with immunocompromising conditions, and rarely infects native vessels.
Case Report: We report a case of mycotic aneurysm caused by P multocida after a dog was allowed to repeatedly lick a patient’s open leg wounds. A 71-year-old man with a preexisting 3.4-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm, was admitted with abdominal pain, a low-grade fever, and mild leukocytosis. A computed tomography scan revealed periaortic inflammation with a 0.2-cm increase in aneurysmal size over 3 months. Several small wounds were also noted on the patient’s lower extremity. Empiric intravenous antibiotics were initiated until cultures grew P multocida. Targeted antibiotics were started and the patient was discharged after his condition improved. Two days later, he was readmitted with severe abdominal pain and significant leukocytosis. Repeat computed tomography scan revealed an enlarged abdominal aortic aneurysm (5.28 cm × 4.09 cm), at which time we proceeded with an aortoiliac bypass with a cryopreserved aorta. At the 10-year follow-up, the repair was intact and without complications.
DOI
10.1016/j.jvs.2023.06.120
Publication Date
9-2023
ISSN
1097-6809
Recommended Citation
Murtha C, Moosa HH, Coats RD. From a Dog's Mouth to a Patient's Aorta. Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2023; 78(3). doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2023.06.120.
