Capnocytophaga canimorsus Sepsis Following a Minor Dog Bite to the Finger: Case Report

Abstract

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative bacillus present in the oral cavities of 22% to 74% of healthy dogs. Capnocytophaga canimorsus has unique virulence factors that enable it to evade the human immune system and cause life-threatening sepsis following a dog bite. We report a previously well 68-year-old woman who presented with septic shock and multiorgan failure following a seemingly minor dog bite to the finger. The patient required intensive care treatment, intravenous antibiotic therapy, and multiple surgical procedures including amputation of the affected finger. The septicemia and coagulopathy that ensued resulted in gangrene and amputation of additional fingers and toes. The purpose of this report is to raise awareness of this organism among hand surgeons when faced with a patient presenting in septic shock and minimal signs at the site of a dog bite.

Purpura Fulminans and Septic Shock due to Capnocytophaga Canimorsus after Dog Bite: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…C. canimorsus affects humans mainly by dog bites but there are other ways of infection as scratches or close contact with dogs or cats [ 7 , 10 ]. Despite possible minimal signs at the wound, the bacterium has the property to gain quickly access to blood causing bacteremia [ 11 ]. Interaction between Capnocytophaga and immune system is not completely elucidated.…”

Epidemiology of Dog Bite Incidents in Chile: Factors Related to the Patterns of Human-Dog Relationship

“…Dog bites are a major public health problem worldwide [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. As a result of these incidents, important consequences emerge, among which are physical injuries, psychological trauma, zoonotic disease transmission [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], infections [ 7 , 8 , 9 ], dysfunction of injured body parts and economic costs [ 10 ], both for the state of the country in question, as well as for the victims of these episodes. Internationally, in underdeveloped and developing countries, highly lethal zoonotic diseases such as rabies occur, which is mainly transmitted by free-roaming dog bites [ 9 ], estimating that 99% of infections are produced by this type of incident [ 11 ].…”

A Bite So Bad: Septic Shock Due to Capnocytophaga Canimorsus Following a Dog Bite

“…Human infection occurs by dog bite or, rarely, cat bite or by the licking of wounds by these animals. The incubation period ranges from one to eight days [ 1 , 7 ]. The initial presentation generally includes fever, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, shortness of breath, followed by purpura [ 1 , 5 ].…”