Human septicemia caused by Corynebacterium bovis: a case report and review of the literature

Petting Zoos as an Unsuspected Source of Pediatric Infections

“…are human commensals, C. bovis has only been described as pathogenic in humans. [9][10][11][12][13]17,18,20 While no direct microbiologic means to verify an epidemiologic link between cattle exposure and subsequent infection in the two pediatric cases that we have described exists in retrospect, the reported bovine ecologic niche of these pathogens as well as the antecedent cattle exposure at pettings zoos in both cases is highly suggestive of petting zoos as the source of infection. A possible alternative infectious source to consider in the first case would be transmission from the family's pet dogs given their cutaneous infections preceding the development of preseptal cellulitis in the twin girls.…”

“…otitis media, and skin/soft tissue infection. 12,13,17,18 Most literature describing C. bovis human infections consist of case reports that do not include exposure histories, however, there are a few with associated report of animal contact. For example, an 89-year-old woman with persistent bacterial keratitis and corneal perforation secondary to C. bovis had recently fed cattle near her residence.…”

“…13 Since initial recognition as a human pathogen in 1975, this bacterium has been associated with ocular infections such as preseptal cellulitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and corneal abscess, 9–12 as well as with non-ocular infections including sepsis, bacteremia, meningitis, hardware-associated infection, endocarditis, chronic otitis media, and skin/soft tissue infection. 12,13,17,18 Most literature describing C. bovis human infections consist of case reports that do not include exposure histories, however, there are a few with associated report of animal contact. For example, an 89-year-old woman with persistent bacterial keratitis and corneal perforation secondary to C. bovis had recently fed cattle near her residence.…”