2023-08-07 16:46:03
Watch out for stray cats! Scientists have identified a new species of pathogen that caused a soft tissue infection in a man bitten by a stray cat in the UK.
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A 48-year-old man was bitten by a stray cat in the UK and then contracted a species of bacteria not previously described by scientists. The case study is published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. « Cat bites are common sources of zoonotic infectionwrite the authors. This report highlights the role of cats as reservoirs of yet undiscovered bacterial species with pathogenic potential for humans. »
A strange case
The case study describes an obese man who was repeatedly bitten by a cat in 2020. Eight hours later, he presented to the emergency department with painful swelling in his hands. He had multiple wounds which were cleaned and dressed and he received a booster dose of tetanus (tetanus) vaccine before returning home. She was also given antibiotics due to a history of penicillin allergy.
Twenty-four hours later, he returns to the hospital for complications. Two fingers of his left hand were painfully enlarged, and both of his forearms were red and swollen. Damaged tissue around his wounds was surgically removed and he continued to take antibiotics. Fortunately, the patient made a full recovery from this incident.
To understand what happened, the scientists analyzed the microorganisms present in the samples taken from the wounds of the Briton. They found a bacterium resembling streptococcus (gram-positive), but belonging to the genus Globicatella.
Within this genus, Globicella blood is the only species known to cause human infections, having been implicated in a small number of bloodstream, heart, central nervous system and urinary tract infections. G. sulfidifaciens is the only other known species of Globicatella, but no human infections have been reported. This is a new species of Globicatella causing extensive soft tissue infection following a cat bite.
« Antimicrobial treatments currently recommended for treating cat bites can be expected to include the species of Globicatella described “, conclude the researchers.
Beware of Cat Bites and Scratches
Like all living species, cats can harbor infectious pathogens. They have long, sharp teeth that predispose them to deep bites. Each year, cat bites and scratches cause 66,000 emergency room visits in the United States. Some require antibiotics or even surgery to prevent serious infection.
That’s why professionals give some recommendations in case of a cat bite. Immediately wash the wound with water for at least five minutes, avoiding vigorous rubbing of the wound or the use of chemicals as this may damage tissue and delay healing. It is also possible to clean the wound with a mild soap solution or a mild saline solution. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible is necessary, since without treatment, a serious infection can develop within 24 to 48 hours.
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