European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
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Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Jun 1995
Review Case ReportsCapnocytophaga canimorsus septicemia: fifth report of a cat-associated infection and five other cases.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a fastidious, slow-growing, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that belongs to the normal oral flora of dogs and cats. Human septicemic infections are associated with a high mortality; most cases occur in immunocompromised patients with a history of dog bite. The fifth case of cat-associated septicemia caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus is described. The six case reports presented here point out the characteristics reported previously: (a) cats are a source of human infection; (b) alcohol abuse is an important risk factor for the development of septicemic Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection; (c) septicemic infection often manifests with disseminated intravascular consumption coagulopathy or purpura; and (d) some cases of septicemia in humans result from pets that lick skin ulcers.