Post-mortem diagnosis of septic arthritis by Pasteurella multocida: a case report and literature review of fatal septic arthritis

• DOI: 10.1007/s12024-024-00929-x
• Publication Date: 2025-01-11T09:59:55Z
• Authors: Arianna Giorgetti; Simone Santelli; Ilenia Filipuzzi; Maria Paola Bonasoni; Giuseppe Basile; Filippo Pirani; Susi Pelotti

Abstract The diagnosis of septic arthritis remains challenging in the clinical setting, often leading to a suspicion for medical liability. Our purpose is describe an unusual case post-mortem P. multocida fatal arthritis, healthy 67-year-old woman presenting with pain right shoulder. Moreover, literature review cases provided. multidisciplinary approach consisted forensic autopsy and additional analyses (microbiology, biochemical analyses, histopathology, revision radiological images) carried out during prosecutor’s investigation A systematic was performed collect understand its frequency characteristics. No clear cause death determined after autopsy, that only highlighted swelling purulent exudation glenohumeral joint. microbiological swab on shoulder tested positive , while histopathological data were consistent sepsis. These results guided interview woman’s relatives, until history previous contact stray cat emerged. deemed as caused by multocida, occurred scratches bites diagnosed post-mortem. provided 15 articles about 1 all ante-mortem diagnosis. Given nonspecific symptoms, usually including localized pain, absence history, e.g. animal contact, might represent under-reported pathological diagnosis, judicial examination, following integration analysis, could opportunity death.