A Case of Capnocytophaga Canimorsus Meningitis in Immunocompetent Host: A Zoonotic Agent in the Lombardian Alpes in Italy

Abstract

The author reports the case of C. canimorsus meningitis consecutive to Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection in a 51-year-old man. Human infection is rare but can lead to devastating outcomes. In patients in whom shortly after a dog or cat bite symptoms of meningitis occurred, C. canimorsus infection should be considered. The purpose of this report is to raise awareness of C. canimorsus among physicians when faced with a patient presenting with meningitis, who has been exposed to dogs or cats. Clinicians should adopt a higher clinical suspicion in the absence of classical risk factors. Although mortality is relatively low, survivors often have neurological sequelae. This case report highlights the importance of thorough history taking to assess risk of underlying C. canimorsus infection, even in immunocompetent hosts.