MODE OF TRANSMISSION: C.
Signs and Symptoms of Capnocytophaga Infection
Symptom onset begins 3 to 5 days after an animal bite, but can range from 1 to 14 days. Symptoms can progress rapidly from mild, localized infection to systemic infection, including sepsis, organ failure, meningitis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
People who are infected with Capnocytophaga can have a range of signs and symptoms such as: Blisters around the bite wound within hours of the bite. Redness, swelling, draining pus, or pain at the bite wound. Fever.
Capnocytophaga infection in humans is rare.
A case fatality rate of up to 31 percent has been reported [3-6]; mortality is high even among patients who are immunocompetent. C. canimorsus is the most common cause of severe Capnocytophaga infection in humans and the cause of most dog bite-associated Capnocytophaga infections [6]. Risk factors for C.
Imipenem/cilastatin, clindamycin or beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations are always effective and their use can be recommended in all infections.
Capnocytophaga infection can be treated with prescription medicine called antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacterial germs like Capnocytophaga. It is important to call your doctor if you have been bitten by a dog or cat or believe that you might be infected with Capnocytophaga germs.
Extremely rare, but potentially deadly when it occurs. Unlike lightning, however, capnocytophaga does discriminate. Healthy people can get the bacteria, but individuals who have difficulty fighting off infections are at an increased risk, especially if they are bitten by a dog.
Many kinds of bacteria (germs) called Capnocytophaga live in the mouths of dogs and cats. These germs do not make dogs or cats sick. Rarely, Capnocytophaga germs can spread to people through bites, scratches, or close contact from a dog or cat and may cause illness, including sepsis.
Being Licked by a Dog Can Be Fatal: Capnocytophaga canimorsus Sepsis with Purpura Fulminans in an Immunocompetent Man - PMC.
Capnocytophaga is a fastidious, gram-negative bacillus. Diagnosis can be made by culture; however, since the organism grows slowly (2–7 days) and requires blood or chocolate agar incubated with 10% carbon dioxide, the diagnosis can be missed.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a dog oral cavity commensal and causative organism of severe sepsis in human beings. The incidence of this infection is approximately 0.5–0.7 cases per million individuals per year.
No, not every dog carries the bacteria, but a recent study found the bacteria in 69.7% of dogs tested, as well as 54.8% of cats.
The Capnocytophaga germs that are common in dogs and cats can be spread to people through a bite or after close contact with dogs or cats. Infections are more often linked to dog bites or dog contact.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection is rare, with a high fatality rate; however, there are few cases of death with a rapid course.
Capnocytophaga very commonly lives in the mouths of healthy dogs and cats (and possibly other animal species). > Between 26-74% of dogs and 18-57% of cats may carry C. canimorsus in their mouths.
To date, about 170 cases have been published in literature, in which only two cases of infection by smear infection through licking by a dog have been reported so far. 5, 6 Infections are more common in males than in females, but the most important and most evident risk factors include conditions that are associated ...
“When dog saliva touches intact human skin, especially in a healthy person, it is extremely unlikely to cause any problems, as there will be very little absorption through the skin,” Dr. Kaplan wrote in an email.
In fact, it is important not to let your dog go overboard when they lick your wounds. If they go too crazy, then your pup could do more harm than good. Keep in mind that your dog's tongue is not overly soft. So, licking for a long period of time could cause your sore to reopen, which could invite more infection.
One of the most common ways to pick up an illness or infection from a dog is through saliva. But, it's important to know that it usually takes a bite or skin abrasion for a dog's germs to cause infection in a person. This means you can continue to let you dog lick your face — if that's your thing.
Currently, there is no commercially available vaccine for Capnocytophaga infections. The only way to completely avoid Capnocytophaga canimorsus infections is to completely avoid contact with pets.
The three original Capnocytophaga species - Capnocytophaga ochracea, Capnocytophaga sputigena and Capnocytophaga gingivalis were initially isolated from periodontitis in adults, but subsequent studies demonstrated their presence also at periodontally healthy sites in both children and adults.
They do not grow on MacConkey agar. Visible colonies typically take 2 to 4 days of incubation (83) and some strains can be pigmented in orange or pink.
The main pattern of use of antibiotics following snakebite envenomation is Ampicillin alone or in combination empirically, Cloxacillin prophylatically and Piperacillin with Tazobactam for severe established infections. The choice of antibiotics is based on the clinician's discretion.