Capnocytophaga canimorsus ‐ A rare cause of severe sepsis and multi‐organ system failure. Issue 1 (19th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yusuff, Hakeem; Wilkinson, Mark; Pasztor, Monika
• Is Part Of: Anaesthesia cases. Volume 1:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 31
• Page End: 34
• Publication Date: 2013-06-19
• Subjects: 617.9605
• DOI: 10.1002/j.2396-8397.2013.tb00010.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2396-8397

Abstract

Summary: A 70‐year‐old man was admitted with rapidly progressive sepsis characterised by respiratory failure, acute renal injury, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and endocarditis. He was treated with empirical antibiotics for a Gram‐negative anaerobe that was difficult to characterise. He had a protracted clinical course during which he developed ischaemic gangrene of his toes. After 5 weeks, the organism was identified at a reference laboratory as Capnocytophaga canimorsus (C. canimorsus ), a normal inhabitant of the oral flora of dogs and cats. This infection had never been encountered amongst the mostly rural population served by the hospital. He recovered from his illness but was left with mobility issues. He had a significant alcohol history which was an important factor for developing severe sepsis from C. canimorsus .