Pasteurella infection in a total knee arthroplasty.

Hematogenous infection of a total joint arthroplasty is a serious complication that has well-known etiologies. One of the most unusual inciting events is a bite wound. Pasteurella multocida is an anaerobic organism found in the mouths of mammals that has rarely been found to infect total knee arthroplasties. Prompt recognition of such an infection and prophylactic treatment with a penicillinase-resistant penicillin should maximize the patient's opportunity to eradicate such an infection.