FATAL CAPNOCYTOPHAGA-CANIMORSUS (DF-2) SEPTICEMIA - A CASE-REPORT

A 45-year-old man died 2 months after being bitten on the hand by a do g. He developed the rare but characteristic clinical picture of fulmin ant septicaemia and peripheral gangrene caused by a Gram-negative baci llus, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, previously known as dysgonic fermente r type 2 (DF-2), which is an occasional commensal in the oral flora of dogs and cats. This disease must be anticipated and dog bites appropr iately managed to avoid the mortality associated with infection by thi s micro-organism. Initial treatment includes appropriate prophylactic antibiotics and debridement, while early exchange transfusion and emer gency amputation may be of value in fulminant cases.