Capnocytophaga canimorsus blebitis: case report and review of literature

A Rare Case of Pneumonia Caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus

We present the case of a 59-year-old immunocompetent female with a mild cough, fever, and rash. She was diagnosed with mild pneumonitis caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus, with no history of dog bites. An indolent clinical course with transmission via canine face licking in immunocompetent individuals is a rare occurrence according to the literature. The diagnosis was made on positive blood cultures and polymerase chain reaction, following which the patient was treated with beta-lactam antibiotics. C. canimorsus is a gram-negative bacterium found in the saliva of dogs and cats. The incidence of human infections is rare, particularly affecting immunocompromised patients exposed to the saliva of these animals. Typical manifestations include severe sepsis, with a high case fatality.

Unique Presentation of a Ubiquitous Organism: Capnocytophaga canimorsus Meningitis With Pneumocephalus

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a bacterium commonly found in the oral cavities of cats and dogs. Infections are particularly common in immunocompromised patients who have been exposed to bites or come in contact with saliva from these animals. The manifestations of infection include bacteremia, fever, and, rarely, meningitis. Diagnosis is challenging given the bacteria has slow growth on culture media. The organism is susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics, with higher-generation cephalosporins recommended for treating meningitis. We present a case of a 74-year-old woman with altered mental status and no signs of immunosuppression. She was diagnosed with meningitis caused by Capnocytophaga, with an intriguing finding of pneumocephalus, which is a rare occurrence as per literature review.

A Review on Pathogens and Necessary Diagnostic Work for Bleb-Related Infections (BRIs)

At the present time, as newer techniques and minimally invasive procedures gain popularity among anterior segment surgeons for regulating intraocular pressure, trabeculectomy still has a leading role in glaucoma surgery. Trabeculectomy retains a highly successful and safe profile; however, one of the major complications includes bleb-related infections (BRIs). To date, the most common pathogens remain Gram-positive cocci, but the list of pathogens that have been identified in the literature includes more than 100 microorganisms. Because antibiotic use is more widespread than ever before and our ability to identify pathogens has improved, the pathogen spectrum will broaden in the future and more pathogens causing BRIs will be described as atypical presentations. The scope of this review was to identify all pathogens that have been described to cause bleb-related infections to date, as well as focus on the risk factors, clinical presentation, and various available diagnostic tools used for an appropriate diagnostic workup.