suffer biteor even simple scratch from a wild catcan have more consequence than is usually thought. Although the danger of contracting rabies if you are bitten by a stray dog ​​or cat is well known, it is not always “easy” to identify the infection.

In fact, that’s what recently happened to a 48-year-old man from England: he was bitten by a stray cat, but the bacteria that caused his infection were completely unknown to science.

This is demonstrated by a new case report published in Emerging Infectious Diseases: the patient suffers from a overwhelming immune response after contact with foreign microorganisms; just eight hours after the bite, his hand swelled up so much he needed it urgent medical attention.

[Un gato mata a una japonesa de un mordisco al contagiarle el virus SFTS]

His wounds were cleaned and bandaged, in addition to receiving reminders of his tetanus shots and usual doses of antibiotics.

However, only 24 hours later he needed to be treated again. Her left little and middle finger had enlarged and both her forearms were red and swollen. In fact, he required surgical removal of the damaged tissue around his wound, and up to three different intravenous antibiotics, after which he was able to go home on oral antibiotics.

After analyzing the microorganisms present in the patient’s wound, it was detected A streptococci foreigners. Let’s remember that the name “streptococci” refers only to a genus of gram-positive bacteria, which is associated with pathologies such as meningitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, and even conjunctivitis. But there are many types of species within the same bacterial genus.

When researchers sequenced this part of the bacterial genome, does not match the strains listed. It was a new microorganism that was never documented, which is the end identified as other bacterial genera: globicatella.

The complete genome sequencing of the bacteria shows just that different from other related strains, such as Globicatella sulfidfaciensabout 20% different. In short, it would be a new species that was never described.

In addition, it should be noted that G. sulfidifaciens, the species most closely related to the new bacteria, is known to be resistant to antibiotics. Fortunately, new tension found in the bite of this cat more sensitive to some of these antibiotics.

Despite everything, the study’s authors are clear about the moral of the story: it is cats are a reservoir of unidentified bacterial specieswhich can be pathogenic to humans. Cat bites and scratches cause 66,000 ER visits each year in the United States alone, with many requiring antibiotics or even surgery to prevent serious infections.

In the case of being attacked by a feral catThey explain, the wound must be washed immediately gently using soap or salt, then immediately consult a doctor to follow up on the case. If the situation goes wrong, you have to be prepared.