Which bacterium is commonly associated with cat bite infections?

Which bacterium is commonly associated with cat bite infections?

• A. Pasteurella multocida
• B. Staphylococcus aureus
• C. Escherichia coli
• D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer: (A)

Pasteurella multocida is the organism most commonly linked to cat bite infections. It lives in the oral flora of cats, so a bite routinely inoculates tissue with this bacterium, leading to rapidly developing cellulitis and potential deeper infections if not treated. While Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin wound pathogen, and Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa appear in other contexts, none are as classically associated with cat bites as Pasteurella multocida.

Pasteurella multocida is the organism most commonly linked to cat bite infections. It lives in the oral flora of cats, so a bite routinely inoculates tissue with this bacterium, leading to rapidly developing cellulitis and potential deeper infections if not treated. While Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin wound pathogen, and Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa appear in other contexts, none are as classically associated with cat bites as Pasteurella multocida.