Pasteurella multocida conjunctivitis.

Accepted for publication 13 July 1993 Case report An 80-year-old man presented with a 1 week history of redness and discharge 11 weeks after an uncomplicated left extracapsular lens extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation. On examination there was evidence of posterior blepharitis, with conjunctival injection and a few follicles present. The cornea was clear, with a few cells present in the anterior chamber. No reflux of material from the lacrimal sac could be demonstrated. The diagnosis of bacterial conjunctivitis was confirmed when a conjunctival swab yielded Pasteurella multocida, sensitive to the chloramphenicol prescribed empirically. In view of the association of Pasteurella infection with animal contact, on further questioning he admitted to owning a poodle, but denied any form of close contact with the animal, beyond taking it for walks. Five days later he was symptom free. He was advised about lid hygiene, and a repeat swab was sterile. Comment Pasteurella multocida is a Gram negative oral commensal of many domestic animals. Human ocular infection with Pasteurella multocida is uncommon, accounting for only 12 of the 3699 isolates reported during 1975-86.' Three out of four cases of Pasteurella endophthalmitis reported resulted from cat-related ocular trauma,2-5 and Pasteurella multocida meningitis followed orbital exenteration in a patient with close animal contact.6 We strongly recommend that Pasteurella infection should be considered in any pet owner presenting with an eye infection, and that patients are advised to avoid close contact with animals in the immediate postoperative period.