A questionnaire style survey on Pasteurella multocida infection was conducted at on 528 laboratories of hospitals. The questionnaire included the detection of Pasteurella multocida from sputum, the age distribution, underlying disease etc. of the patients.
In Japan, infectious diseases caused by Pasteurella multocida were found in 179 cases in 67 (26.0%) of the 258 hospitals. The incidence of the infections tends to increase, 18 cases in 1989, 25 cases in 1990, 18 cases in 1991 (Jan. Jul.). These 179 cases were broken down into 44 males (from 1 year old to 85 years old, mean 58.9 years old), 45 females (from 18 years old to 85 years old, mean 60.2 years old), and 90 patients whose sex was unknown. Underlying diseases were recognized in 72 cases. Diseases related to the respiratory organ were 61 (84.7%) cases. The cases of hemo-sputum had to be differentiated from malignant tumors Recurrent Pasteuralla multocida infections were recognized in 4 males and 4 females. And the 4 cases had been handling animals. There were only 26 cases who had contact with animals, the others were unknown. This result suggested that contact with animals may cause these infections.
Recently, the detection of Pasteurella multocida from the sputum tends to increase. The olderly patient with chronic pulmonary disease, who is handling animals must be educated on hygiene and zoonosis.
This study was aided by Grant-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (No.03857348).