title: Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis diagnosed by 16S rRNA PCR.
abstract: Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a common Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium from the oral flora of dogs, typically transmitted to humans by dog bites. We report a case of C. canimorsus meningitis where there was (on presentation) no apparent predisposing risk factor and in whom we used 16S rRNA PCR gene sequencing to identify the pathogen quickly and to switch to appropriate antibiotic therapy. Physicians should be aware of potential C. canimorsus meningitis if conventional cerebrospinal fluid bacterial culture is negative but Gram staining identifies bacteria, especially in patients with a recent dog bite or known immunodeficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Bernhoven Hospital, Uden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T M J
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Beernink
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wever
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M H A
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hermans
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Bernhoven Hospital, Uden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M G T
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bartholomeus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002206:Capnocytophaga; D004285:Dogs; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: BACTERIOLOGY; CLINICAL NEUROLOGY; INFECTIOUS DISEASES; MICROBIOLOGY