Capnocytophaga is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacillus that is present in the mouths of many mammals.
Animals with Capnocytophaga as part of oral flora:
(1) dogs
(2) cats
(3) human
Risk factors for infection after a bite:
(1) immunocompromised status, although immunocompetent patients can have severe infections
(2) gingivitis in the animal biting the patient
(3) failure to clean the bite wound
(4) failure to treat aggressively with antibiotics (penicillin with penicillinase inhibitor)
(5) failure to surgically debride infected focus
(6) asplenia
(7) neutropenia
Infections after a bite can result in septic shock and death.
