A Rare Case of Pneumonia Caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus

Abstract

We present the case of a 59-year-old immunocompetent female with a mild cough, fever, and rash. She was diagnosed with mild pneumonitis caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus , with no history of dog bites. An indolent clinical course with transmission via canine face licking in immunocompetent individuals is a rare occurrence according to the literature. The diagnosis was made on positive blood cultures and polymerase chain reaction, following which the patient was treated with beta-lactam antibiotics. C. canimorsus is a gram-negative bacterium found in the saliva of dogs and cats. The incidence of human infections is rare, particularly affecting immunocompromised patients exposed to the saliva of these animals. Typical manifestations include severe sepsis, with a high case fatality.