Capnocytophaga canimorsus septicemia: fifth report of a cat-associated infection and five other cases.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a fastidious, slow-growing, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that belongs to the normal oral flora of dogs and cats. Human septicemic infections are associated with a high mortality; most cases occur in immunocompromised patients with a history of dog bite. The fifth case of cat-associated septicemia caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus is described. The six case reports presented here point out the characteristics reported previously: (a) cats are a source of human infection; (b) alcohol abuse is an important risk factor for the development of septicemic Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection; (c) septicemic infection often manifests with disseminated intravascular consumption coagulopathy or purpura; and (d) some cases of septicemia in humans result from pets that lick skin ulcers.
Valtonen
M
M
Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Lauhio
A
A
Carlson
P
P
Multanen
J
J
Sivonen
A
A
Vaara
M
M
Lähdevirta
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D001733:Bites and Stings; D002206:Capnocytophaga / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002415:Cats; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents