Pasteurella multocida in an infected tiger bite.

Abstract

We report an unusual case of Pasteurella multocida wound infection caused by a tiger bite. We investigated the normal fang flora of large zoo cats and found P multocida in cultures from seven tigers, three of four leopards, and one lynx. Sucrose fermentation was found to be highly media dependent and unpredictable. The literature relative to P multocida in bite-wound infections is reviewed with special reference to bites by animals other than cats and dogs. With the addition of the present case, the animals involved have been two rats, two opossums, two lions, one horse, one rabbit, one boar, one panther, and one tiger.