Characteristics and outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with sepsis transmitted by cats and dogs: the PETSEPSIS multicentre retrospective observational cohort study
Authors' conclusion
This large multicentre study shows that infections transmitted by cats and dogs are infrequent reasons for ICU admission but are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Mortality was associated with older age and comorbidities but not with the type of microorganism or initial antibiotic treatment.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive adults admitted to 46 ICUs in France (2009–2019) for sepsis due to cat or dog bites and/or Pasteurella spp., Bartonella spp., Capnocytophaga spp. or Francisella tularensis
- Participants
- 174 adults · 46 ICUs
- Outcome
- Patient features and outcomes (hospital mortality and factors associated with death)
Methodological detailsmulticentre, observational
- Multicentre
- Observational
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Hospital mortality
Hospital mortality
24.1%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Patient characteristics and ICU course
- Median age, years [IQR]
- 64 [50-74]
- Male
- 58.1%
- Median SAPS II score [IQR]
- 42 [28-58]
- Mechanical ventilation
- 51.2%
- Median duration of mechanical ventilation, days [IQR]
- 7 [4-13]
- Vasopressor support
- 53.5%
- RRT
- 19%
- Limb amputation
- 3.6%
- Median ICU LOS, days [IQR]
- 7 [4-16]
Comparison across bacteria
- Clinical presentation and severity of sepsis similar across bacteria; Pasteurella spp. patients older with more comorbidities
- Cat contact more often for Pasteurella spp. and Bartonella spp.; dog contact for Capnocytophaga spp.
Original publication
Characteristics and outcomes of ICU patients with sepsis transmitted by cats and dogs: the PETSEPSIS multicentre retrospective observational cohort study. Crit Care. Published 22 July 2025. doi:10.
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