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Case Reports
. 2023 May 30;10(1):e849.
doi: 10.1002/ams2.849. eCollection 2023 Jan-Dec.

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

Natsuki Kondo  1   2 , Yosuke Matsumura  1 , Takuya Sugiyama  3 , Masaya Miyahara  1 , Ai Imamura  1 , Yuki Kasahara  1 , Hideaki Nagashima  1 , Noriyuki Hanaoka  1 , Naohiko Fujiyoshi  1 , Shin Inaba  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

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

Natsuki Kondo et al. Acute Med Surg. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: bite and sting; emergency treatment; purpura fulminans; sepsis; spleen.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Purpura of the (A) face, (B) chest, and (C) lower extremities on admission of a 49‐year‐old man with Capnocytophaga sepsis from a dog bite.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Abdominal CT images on admission of a 49‐year‐old man with Capnocytophaga sepsis from a dog bite. (A) Axial and (B) coronal view showing the hypoplastic spleen (white arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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