Underestimating a Dog Bite

Abstract

Dog bites may result in serious bacterial infections because of various microorganisms, including gram-negative rod Capnocytophaga canimorsus, whose disease can be complicated by acute development of sepsis and/or meningitis. In this review, we report a case of C. canimorsus meningitis in a patient with major risk factors and subsequently analyze 48 other cases described in literature. Approximately a little less than 50% of reported cases had a major predisposing condition such as splenectomy, alcoholism, or immunosuppressive treatment. In almost all of the cases, recent animal exposure was reported. Sensorineural hearing loss, which has been described as a permanent complication of C. canimorsus meningitis, was present in a minority of cases (18%), and a possible association with alcoholism was observed. In conclusion, C. canimorsus should be considered as a possible cause of sporadic meningitis in adults, particularly if presenting with a subacute course or deafness and in concomitance of major predisposing conditions, such as alcoholism.

Friendly Kisses Can Be Deadly: Capnocytophaga canimorsus Bacteremia in an Asplenic Patient Exposed to Canine Saliva

“…Those with hyposplenism or asplenia are particularly susceptible to infection and can deteriorate quickly. Other risk factors include heavy alcohol use, dog bites, male sex, and age over 50 years [1][2][3]. This report details the case of a 73-year-old woman who presented with fever, rigors, emesis, and epigastric abdominal pain.…”