Prognostic factors of Pasteurella infections: a single-center retrospective cohort study over a 14-year period (2005-2018)

Background: Pasteurella spp. can lead to fatal infections in humans.

Objective: To assess prognostic factors of invasive pasteurellosis.

Methods: We conducted a single retrospective cohort study of local versus invasive Pasteurella infections from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2018, in the Amiens-Picardie University Hospital, France.

Results: Forty-five (20.9%) invasive pasteurellosis and 22 (10.2%) complicated local infections were reported among a total of 215 Pasteurella infections. The mortality rate among invasive infections was 22.2% (10/ 45) whereas no death was recorded in local infections group. Non-drug-induced prothrombin time test <70% of standard and platelet counts <100,000/mm³ were more frequent in non-survivors than in survivors (p=0.005 and p=0.019) in univariate analyses. A history of neoplasia (adjusted OR=13.62, p=0.020), an evidence of bacteremia (adjusted OR=20.68, p=0.025), and hemoglobin level <10 g/dL (adjusted OR=17.80, p=0.028) were identified as poor prognostic factors in multivariate analyses.

Conclusion: Invasive pasteurellosis appears as a serious disease in vulnerable patients, particularly if bacteremia and/or coagulopathies occur.