What is the most common isolate from abscesses secondary to cat bites?

What is the most common isolate from abscesses secondary to cat bites?

• A. Streptococcus pyogenes
• B. Pasteurella multocida
• C. Escherichia coli
• D. Staphylococcus aureus

Answer: (B)

Pasteurella multocida is the most common isolate from abscesses after cat bites. Cats carry this bacterium in their oral flora, so a bite introduces it directly into deeply inflamed tissue, where it commonly grows and forms abscesses. It tends to produce rapid soft-tissue infection, which is why Pasteurella shows up so often in culture from cat-bite abscesses. Other organisms like Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus aureus can appear in bite wounds but are less likely to be the primary isolate in cat-bite abscesses. This is why sources emphasize Pasteurella multocida as the typical offender. In practice, empiric treatment targets Pasteurella, with antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate.

Pasteurella multocida is the most common isolate from abscesses after cat bites. Cats carry this bacterium in their oral flora, so a bite introduces it directly into deeply inflamed tissue, where it commonly grows and forms abscesses. It tends to produce rapid soft-tissue infection, which is why Pasteurella shows up so often in culture from cat-bite abscesses. Other organisms like Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus aureus can appear in bite wounds but are less likely to be the primary isolate in cat-bite abscesses. This is why sources emphasize Pasteurella multocida as the typical offender. In practice, empiric treatment targets Pasteurella, with antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate.