A report on a case involving a cat infected with Pasteurella pneumotropica is presented. The cat was brought to Veterinary Polyclinic in Guntur with a swollen left forelimb. The abscess fluid from the cat was then sent to Veterinary Biological & Research Institute in Vijayawada for laboratory examination and identification of the bacteria responsible for the infection.

Cultural examination revealed that the bacteria responsible was Pasteurella pneumotropica, which is known to be zoonotic and opportunistic, with potential for causing infections in humans and pets. The same result was confirmed using the Vitek 2 method while Polymerase Chain Reaction using the KMT1T7 and KMT1SP6 genes produced positive results showing a 460bp amplified product. The antibiotic sensitivity test showed that the isolate had sensitivity to a variety of antibiotics, including Chloramphenicol, Norfloxacin, Cefotaxime, Neomycin, Levofloxacin, Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, and Amoxyclav.

It is important to note that Pasteurella pneumotropica is a common pathogen that causes subcutaneous abscesses and pyothorax in cats, and can be fatal to immunocompromised individuals who have had a history of cat bites. The bacteria was first isolated in 1948 by Jawetz from laboratory mice, and is known to resemble Pasteurella multocida. The findings of this report could contribute to the successful treatment of cat abscesses caused by Pasteurella pneumotropica.

The identified causative agent of the cat abscess was confirmed as Pasteurella pneumotropica using Vitek 2. Funk et al. also reported the correct identification of two isolates of Pasteurella pneumotropica using Vitek 2. The isolate was further amplified using polymerase chain reaction and showed a 460 bp product. The use of KMT1T7 & KMT1SP6 specific primers for the detection of Pasteurella pneumotropica has not been documented in published studies. Thus, it is unknown if other laboratories have also observed positive amplification of Pasteurella pneumotropica DNA for primers specific for Pasteurella multocida.

The isolate was found sensitive to Chloramphenicol 30 mcg, Norfloxacin 10 mcg, Cefotaxime 30mcg, Neomycin 30 mcg, Levofloxacin 5 mcg, Tetracycline 30 mcg, Oxytetracycline 30 mcg Ciprofloxacin 5 mcg, Amoxyclav 30 mcg according to ABST. Razali et al. reported resistance to Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 30 mcg, Penicillin 10 IU, ampicillin 10 IU and Tetracycline 30 mcg. The variation in antibiotic susceptibility may be due to the strain of the isolate and antimicrobial resistance developed. According to UK standards for microbiology Investigations, Pasteurella species is generally susceptible to Chloramphenicol, Penicillin, Tetracyclines and macrolides.

The Veterinary Polyclinic, Guntur, was informed of the results and the abscess was successfully treated with third-generation cephalosporin (Ceftriaxone) and supplementary drugs like Melonex and Proviboost Syrup.

In conclusion, Pasteurella pneumotropica was identified as the causative bacteria for the cat abscess, which is considered an exceptional and opportunistic pathogen. However, due to its zoonotic importance, pet owners and immunocompromised individuals should not underestimate accidental cat scratches/bites.

The UK Standards for Microbiological Investigations from 2015 provide guidelines for identifying pasteurella species and other similar microorganisms in bacteriology. This particular publication, titled "Identification of Pasteurella Species and Morphologically Similar Organisms," contains valuable information and methods for analyzing and differentiating these types of bacteria. The paper spans 28 pages and is featured in Volume 13, Issue 3 of the Bacteriology journal.