‘Biting the hand that feeds’: fever and altered sensorium following a dog bite

Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection is the most severe and rapidly progressive bacterial infection transmitted by dog bite and fortunately is very rare. The authors describe a 68-year-old gentleman who presented in an acute confusional state 2 days after having been bitten on the left hand by a dog....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ case reports 2011-02, Vol.2011 (jan29 1), p.bcr0820103265-bcr0820103265
Main Authors: Hawkins, Joseph, Wilson, Ann, McWilliams, Eric
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abscesses
Aged
Animal bites
Animals
Antibiotics
Bacterial infections
Bites and Stings - complications
Capnocytophaga
Confusion - etiology
Dogs
Endocarditis
Europe (West)
Fever
Fever - etiology
Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - etiology
Hand Injuries - etiology
Humans
Infections
Ischemia
Male
Meningitis
Pneumonia
Purpura
Rare Disease
Sepsis
Ultrasonic imaging
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Summary:Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection is the most severe and rapidly progressive bacterial infection transmitted by dog bite and fortunately is very rare. The authors describe a 68-year-old gentleman who presented in an acute confusional state 2 days after having been bitten on the left hand by a dog. Despite immediate broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, he developed significant sequelae including disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, microvascular emboli leading to peripheral necrosis, widespread local tissue destruction and septic arthritis. Our case illustrates a life-threatening presentation of infection with C canimorsus, which is known as ‘the dog bite organism’. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment is key to survival.
ISSN:1757-790X
1757-790X
DOI:10.1136/bcr.08.2010.3265