Fatal case of Capnocytophaga sepsis from a dog bite in a patient with splenic hypoplasia

Background Capnocytophaga canimorsus is an oral commensal bacteria in dogs and may cause severe infection following a dog bite. This is a case of fatal C. canimorsus sepsis with acute infectious purpura fulminans (AIPF) in a healthy patient with splenic hypoplasia. Case Presentation A healthy 49‐yea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acute medicine & surgery 2023-01, Vol.10 (1), p.e849-n/a
Main Authors: Kondo, Natsuki, Matsumura, Yosuke, Sugiyama, Takuya, Miyahara, Masaya, Imamura, Ai, Kasahara, Yuki, Nagashima, Hideaki, Hanaoka, Noriyuki, Fujiyoshi, Naohiko, Inaba, Shin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal bites
Antibiotics
Bacteria
bite and sting
Blood
Case Report
Case reports
Cats
Diabetes
Dogs
emergency treatment
Immunoglobulins
Infections
Polymerase chain reaction
Proteins
Purpura
purpura fulminans
Risk factors
Sepsis
Spleen
Thrombocytopenia
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Summary:Background Capnocytophaga canimorsus is an oral commensal bacteria in dogs and may cause severe infection following a dog bite. This is a case of fatal C. canimorsus sepsis with acute infectious purpura fulminans (AIPF) in a healthy patient with splenic hypoplasia. Case Presentation A healthy 49‐year‐old man was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for septic shock and AIPF 4 days after a dog bite to his mouth. Computed tomography revealed a small spleen measuring 53 cm3 but no other source of infection. Despite intensive care, the patient died of multiple organ failure and progressive shock on the fifth ICU day. Polymerase chain reaction of blood samples identified the C. canimorsus gene on a later day. Conclusion Capnocytophaga canimorsus from dog bites may cause fatal AIPF. Splenic hypoplasia and bite wounds in well‐perfused areas such as the oral cavity are possible risk factors for sepsis. All dog bites should warrant medical attention. We experienced a fatal case of Capnocytophaga sepsis caused by dog bite. Splenic hypoplasia could be a risk factor for animal bite infection.
ISSN:2052-8817
2052-8817
DOI:10.1002/ams2.849