Pasteurella multocida facts for kids

Pasteurella multocida is a tiny living thing called a bacterium. It is a special type of bacteria that doesn't move on its own. Scientists call it a coccobacillus because it's shaped like a mix between a circle and a rod. This bacterium is also penicillin-sensitive, meaning the medicine penicillin can kill it.

Often, Pasteurella multocida lives harmlessly in the noses and throats of many animals. You can find it in farm animals like cows and chickens. It also lives in common pets such as cats and dogs. When it lives without causing harm, it's called a commensal.

This bacterium was first found in 1878. It was discovered in birds that were sick with a disease called fowl cholera. Later, in 1880, a famous scientist named Louis Pasteur was able to study it closely. The entire group of bacteria, Pasteurella, is named in his honor.

What is Pasteurella multocida?

Pasteurella multocida is a type of bacteria. It is very small and can only be seen with a microscope. This bacterium is known as "gram-negative." This means it doesn't hold a special purple stain that scientists use to identify bacteria.

It's also "non-motile," which means it cannot move around by itself. Instead, it relies on its surroundings to spread. The shape of Pasteurella multocida is described as a "coccobacillus." This means it's partly round like a sphere and partly rod-shaped.

Where Does Pasteurella multocida Live?

This bacterium often lives in the upper breathing passages of many animals. These passages include the nose, throat, and windpipe. It can be found in many different kinds of animals.

For example, it commonly lives in livestock like cattle, pigs, and sheep. It also lives in poultry, such as chickens and turkeys. Many domestic pets, especially cats and dogs, can carry this bacterium too.

When Pasteurella multocida lives in an animal without causing any sickness, it's called a commensal. It just hangs out without bothering its host. However, sometimes it can cause infections if the animal's immune system is weak.

How Was it Discovered?

The first time Pasteurella multocida was noticed was in 1878. Scientists found it in birds that were suffering from a disease called fowl cholera. This disease made the birds very sick.

A few years later, in 1880, a brilliant French scientist named Louis Pasteur managed to "isolate" this bacterium. This means he was able to separate it from other germs and study it on its own. Because of his important work, the whole group of bacteria that Pasteurella multocida belongs to is named Pasteurella in his honor.

See also

In Spanish: Pasteurella multocida para niños