Perplexing pneumonia: Pasteurella lung infection.

Pasteurella multocida, commonly found in the oropharyngeal flora of cats and dogs, typically causes soft tissue infections following animal bites or scratches. Respiratory infections due to Pasteurella are rare and usually occur in individuals with predisposing factors, such as chronic lung disease or immunosuppression. We present an unusual case of an elderly male who developed a Pasteurella lung infection after his cat licked his dentures. The patient, with no significant history of lung disease or immunosuppression, presented with fever, cough and dyspnoea. The diagnosis was confirmed via bronchoalveolar lavage culture, which isolated P. multocida The patient was successfully treated with intravenous ceftriaxone followed by oral amoxicillin-clavulanate. This case highlights the need to consider such pathogens even in the absence of animal bites or scratches and the importance of thorough history-taking to identify indirect sources of infection. Proper denture hygiene in pet owners may reduce the risk of similar infections.