'Barely a scratch': Capnocytophaga canimorsus causing prosthetic hip joint infection following a dog scratch. (27th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hettiarachchi, Irasha; Parker, Scott; Singh, Sanjit
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-02-27
• Subjects: bone And Joint Infections -- orthopaedics -- infectious diseases; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a commensal organism commonly found in the oral cavity of cats and dogs. Infections with this organism are rare and can affect both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. The authors present a case of C . canimorsus causing indolent prosthetic hip joint infection in a healthy 66-year-old woman following a history of being scratched by her pet dog. The patient had an atypical history of chronic, low-grade infection which is unusual, as this organism is more frequently associated with acute presentations and fulminant sepsis. This patient was treated successfully with a two-stage exchange of her hip prosthesis and broad-spectrum antibiotics. C. canimorsus is a very rare cause of prosthetic joint infection but an important pathogen to consider, particularly in culture-negative joint infections and a history of animal exposure.