'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. 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.
Department of Internal Medicine, Conquest Hospital, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, UK.
Joseph
J
Hawkins
Ann
A
Wilson
Eric
E
McWilliams
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications*; D002206:Capnocytophaga; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male