Meningitis and subgaleal, subdural, epidural empyema due to Pasteurella multocida.

Pasteurella is a Gram-negative coccobacillus found in 70-90% of oral cavities of cats, and as well, is isolated from the digestive systems of dogs, rats, rabbits, monkeys, and other animals. Pasteurella multocida has been known to cause infections in humans, the most familiar being soft tissue infection after animal bites. However, this organism may affect a variety of systems, causing serious disease. Pasteurella multocida can cause septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, meningitis, and septicemia. We report a case of bacterial meningitis, subgaleal, subdural, and epidural empyema due to Pasteurella multocida by a rabbit licking that resulted in neurological complications and a prolonged recovery period. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.