Microbiology
Long, thin gram-negative rod. Two groups
1) C. ochracea, C. gingivalis, C. granulosa, C. haemolytica, C. sputigena, in humans.
2) C. canimorsus (dogs), Capnocytophaga canis (cats) and C. cynodegmi (dogs and cats).
Rare infections after rabbit exposure.
Epidemiologic Risks
Doggy bites and the occasional cat bite. Occasionally licking or casual contact; there was a case presented at a conference of meningitis in a child. The family dog liked to lick the child's head, probably thinking it like a Tootsie Roll Pop (Reference).
Syndromes
Human Capnocytophaga: periodontitis and occasional bacteremia in the neutropenic.
Animal Capnocytophaga: purpura fulminans like sepsis in asplenics, alcoholics and steroid patients when Cujo returns i.e. dog bites. Also meningitis and sepsis. 25% mortality rate (PubMed).
Treatment
Human derived: clindamycin, erythromycin, tetracyclines, quinolone, OR imipenem, with variable susceptibilities to penicillin, expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, aztreonam, vancomycin, metronidazole.
Animal-derived: penicillin is preferred, but is sensitive to imipenem, erythromycin, clindamycin, third-generation cephalosporins, tetracyclines, OR quinolone, but resistant to aztreonam.
Notes
Curious Cases
Relevant links to my Medscape blog
lips that touch Alpo (tm) will never touch mine
Last Update: 04/24/18.