Abstract

Summary
Background: Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a commensal organism of the canine oral cavity, is a fastidious Gram negative opportunistic pathogen that can cause serious multiorgan diseases in humans.
Septicemia due to this species has been rarely described in immunocompromised hosts and in immunocompetent individuals, usually in the presence of defined predisposing conditions, such
as splenectomy and alcohol abuse.
Case report: A case of C. canimorsus septicemia in a 65-year-old women with non-secreting macroadenoma following a dog bite is reported here. The infection was characterized by fever and rash. The
patient did not have any known predisposing condition, but did experience an acute episode of suspected myocardial ischemia during the infection.
Conclusions: Capnocytophaga canimorsus septicemia should be considered in all patients with fever and rash, following a dog bite, even in the absence of known predisposing conditions.

Keywords: Capnocytophaga canimorsus, septicemia, rash