Pasteurella species are gram-negative facultative anaerobic bacilli found in the animal's oral cavity. Most human infections are caused by dog or cat bites. Disseminated Pasteurella infections can lead to serious diseases including septic shock and meningitis mostly in infants and pregnant women.
Pasteurella are usually not susceptible to dicloxacillin, cephalexin, clindamycin, or erythromycin.
Potential virulence factors include capsular lipopolysaccharide, a cytotoxin, and iron acquisition proteins.
