Capnocytophaga

Pathogen: Capnocytophaga

 • 9 species, C. canimorsus responsible for the majority of infections

 • Gram-negative rod, Facultative anaerobe, SIow growing, Long, thin, and fusiform

 • Capnophilic "carbon loving'

Risk Factors:

 • Part of the oral flora of healthy cats and dogs. Transmitted to humans through animal bites.

 • Asplenia (greatest risk), Malignancy, SLE, Corticosteroids, alcohol use, Cirrhosis

Presentation:

 • Incubation period is 1-5 days, Mortality 30-50%

 • Cellulitis: Fever, Chills, General malaise

 • Septic shock: Hypotension, Purpura Fulminans, Gangrene

 • Multiorgan failure: CID, Renal failure, Encephalopathy

 • Other Presentations: FUO, Meningitis (13%), Pneumonia, Endocarditis, Septic arthritis, Cholecystitis

Diagnosis:

 • Fastidious microorganism (Culture I - 14 days incubation period)

 • Buffy coat stain: Peripheral smear for fusiform gram-negative within the cytoplasm of PMN.

 • Sensitivity and specificity of PCR is not well defined.

Treatment:

 • 50% resistant to fluoroquinolones

 • Zosyn, Imipenem-Cilastatin, Meropenem, Clindamycin

Prophylaxis (Dog bite in asplenic patient): Augment, Clindamycin



By @TheIDtrivia



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