CAPNOCYTOPHAGA-CANIMORSUS INFECTIONS IN HUMAN - REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND CASES REPORT

Capnocytophaga canimorsus, formerly designated Dysgonic fermenter 2 (D F-2) was first described in 1976: it is a commensal bacterium of dogs and cats saliva, which can be transmitted to man by bite (54% of cases ), scratch (8.5%), or mere exposure to animals (27%). We present a rev iew of the clinical and microbiological characteristics of the Capnocy tophaga canimorsus infections and 12 cases of infection in France. Ove r 100 cases of human infections have been reported, mainly septicemia in patients with diminished defences, due to splenectomy (33%), alcoho l abuse (24%), immunosuppression (5%). However 40% of septicemia occur in patients with no predisposing conditions. Other infections are les s frequent: meningitis, endocarditis, arthritis, pleural and localized eye infections. These infections range from mild to fulminating disea se, with shock, respiratory distress, disseminated intravascular coagu lation. Dermatological lesions (macular or maculopapular rash, purpura ) or gangrene are common. This fastidious Gram-negative bacterium grow s slowly on chocolate agar or on heart infusion agar with 5% rabbit bl ood incubated in 5% CO,. In spite of a great susceptibility of bacteri a to antibiotics, the mortality is of 30%. Because of the severity of these infections, taking into account this organism in the management of bites is necessary, especially in patients with predisposing factor s.