COVID-19 and Pasteurella multocida Pulmonary Coinfection: A Case Series

Abstract

Objectives: In COVID-19 patients, bacterial and fungal pulmonary coinfections, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, or Aspergillus, have been reported, but to our knowledge, no case has been reported due to Pasteurella multocida. Patients and methods: We describe three cases of Pasteurella multocida coinfections occurring during the 4th wave of COVID-19 in Martinique (French West Indies). Results: All three cases were fatal; thus, Pasteurella multocida has to be considered as a potentially severe coinfection agent. Conclusions: Alteration of the epithelial–endothelial barrier due to a SARS-CoV-2 infection probably promotes the expression of a Pasteurella infection. In addition, the SARS-CoV-2 infection induced immunosuppression, and an inflammatory cascade could explain the infection’s severity. The use of corticosteroids, which are part of the first-line therapeutic arsenal against COVID-19, may also promote the pathogenicity of this agent.

Bacterial Biomarkers of the Oropharyngeal and Oral Cavity during SARS-CoV-2 Infection

“…On the other hand, the Pasteurellales family and Fusobacteriales order were identified as biomarkers for COVID-19 infection, although no specific genus within these taxa showed significant differences. Nonetheless, genera belonging to these taxa have been found to be significantly increased in cases of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 [73,[78][79][80].…”

Immunomodulatory effects of inactivated Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 9609 on respiratory epithelial cells

“…In contrast, respiratory infections in humans are relatively uncommon and may occur from a zoonotic transmission. Pasteurella species can be considered as potentially severe coinfection agents with either viral or bacterial infections, especially in immunocompromised patients [ 11 , 13 ]. A 4 h-exposition to microbial cells followed by a longer period of response did not affect any of the epithelial structures or the epithelial barrier function, in contrast to previous studies with similar approaches [ 27 , 28 ].…”

“…P. multocida zoonotic threat comes from animal bite, scratch wounds or respiratory exposure, but does not represent a common respiratory pathogen. Instead, it can be considered as a potentially severe coinfection agent with either viral or bacterial infections [ 13 ]. Out of the five serogroups described (A–F), serogroup A and D are the most associated to human and animal infections [ 11 , 12 ].…”