How do I know if I have Capnocytophaga Canimorsus?

Signs and symptoms

Redness, swelling, draining pus, or pain at the bite area. Fever. Diarrhea and/or stomach pain. Vomiting.

What does Capnocytophaga do to humans?

Capnocytophaga ochracea, gingivalis, and sputigena exist in humans and can cause pharyngeal and respiratory infections from the person's own flora. Typically, these bacteria do not cause disease except as an opportunistic infection in people with impaired immune defenses.

Can Capnocytophaga go away on its own?

The infection can become severe and, in some cases, fatal within 24-72 hours, so if you are symptomatic after a bite, or have a weak immune system you should seek medical care right away. The treatment includes antibiotics and intensive supportive care for sepsis.

What kills Capnocytophaga?

Because Capnocytophaga is a bacterial infection, the most common Capnocytophaga treatment is some kind of antibiotic medication, such as clindamycin. Related symptoms or complications may also be treated separately.

The Dangers of Capnocytophaga: A Guide for Pet Lovers

How long does it take for Capnocytophaga symptoms to appear in humans?

Symptoms from zoonosis associated Capnocytophaga infections typically begin about 3 to 5 days after a dog or cat bite. The disease can progress rapidly from mild, localized infection to systemic infection, sepsis, and death. Signs and symptoms of a Capnocytophaga infection include: Blisters at the bite or scratch wound.

How rare is it to get Capnocytophaga?

The bacteria can be transmitted through exposure to saliva, such as through a dog lick or through a bite wound. Fortunately, capnocytophaga infection is rare in humans. A study showed that incidences of infection were 0.67 infections per million population.

Should I worry about Capnocytophaga canimorsus?

canimorsus are dangerous to humans. However, in 40% of the cases reported, no such risk factor could be identified. Infection with C. canimorsus progresses quickly and may end with severe sepsis with DIC and gangrene.

What are the long term effects of Capnocytophaga?

In addition to infection, Capnocytophaga may also cause several riskier and even life-threatening issues. Among them are gangrene, kidney failure and heart attacks. You may even lose limbs due to necrosis. Sepsis is another issue, which affects your entire bloodstream.

Where is Capnocytophaga Canimorsus found?

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative Flavobacterium that is generally found in the mouths of dogs and cats. It is a zoonotic pathogen that has been known to cause bacteremia, meningitis, endocarditis, and gangrene.

How to test for Capnocytophaga?

Capnocytophaga is a fastidious, gram-negative bacillus. Diagnosis can be made by culture; however, since the organism grows slowly (2–7 days) and requires blood or chocolate agar incubated with 10% carbon dioxide, the diagnosis can be missed.

Do all cats carry Capnocytophaga?

> Between 26-74% of dogs and 18-57% of cats may carry C. canimorsus in their mouths. The bacterium rarely causes illness in pets, even if they are bitten by another animal.

What is the appearance of Capnocytophaga?

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative, rod-shaped organism that is found in the oral flora of dogs, cats, and other animals. Transmission of Capnocytophaga is most commonly from a dog bite, although other types of contact with dogs or cats can also result in transmission.

What is the drug of choice for Capnocytophaga?

Imipenem or a β-lactam–β-lactamase inhibitor combination is highly active against Capnocytophaga, and either can be considered a drug of first choice until results of antibiotic susceptibility testing, including a test for β-lactamase production, are available.

What are the effects of Capnocytophaga canimorsus on humans?

In humans, C. canimorsus is an opportunistic pathogen most commonly infecting individuals with predisposing conditions. It has been described to cause sepsis, especially in asplenic patients or alcoholics, but it can also cause meningitis, septic arthritis and rarer so, infective endocarditis (IE) (3,4).

What are the odds of Capnocytophaga Canimorsus?

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a dog oral cavity commensal and causative organism of severe sepsis in human beings. The incidence of this infection is approximately 0.5–0.7 cases per million individuals per year.

What kills Capnocytophaga Canimorsus?

Treatment is usually based on the susceptibility tests of blood or CSF cultures. In general, β-lactam antibiotics, third-generation cephalosporins, doxycycline, clindamycin and chloramphenicol or carbapenems are effective against C. canimorsus.

What is the incubation period of Capnocytophaga Canimorsus?

C. canimorsus is a slow-growing bacteria; therefore, blood cultures may require an incubation period of up to 14 days (with an average of six days) [10].

What is the mortality rate for Capnocytophaga Canimorsus?

According to the literature, mortality from C. canimorsus ranges from 10% to 30% [6], with the mortality rate of severe sepsis being as high as 26%.

Can Capnocytophaga be cured?

Capnocytophaga infection can be treated with prescription medicine called antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacterial germs like Capnocytophaga. It is important to call your doctor if you have been bitten by a dog or cat or believe that you might be infected with Capnocytophaga germs.

How rare is Capnocytophaga infection?

Capnocytophaga species cause rare but often severe infection in humans. The incidence of infection due to Capnocytophaga species in the general population is low. A national survey in the Netherlands noted 0.67 cases per million per year; national surveillance is not performed in the United States [3].

What is Capnocytophaga toxic shock?

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is an anaerobic Gram‐negative bacterium in the oral commensal flora of dogs and cats that can be transmitted to humans by penetrating bites, causing sepsis and septic shock.

How long does it take for Capnocytophaga symptoms to appear?

Many appear within the first few hours of a bite. However, some symptoms do not start appearing until 3 to 5 days after the initial bite in general. The general span of time for symptoms to start showing is anywhere between 1 and 14 days.

What are the symptoms of canimorsus?

Individuals often complain of any combination of: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, malaise, abdominal pain, myalgia, confusion, dyspnea, headaches, and skin rashes such as exanthema. More severe cases of endocarditis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and meningitis have been reported.

How do humans get Capnocytophaga?

Capnocytophaga is spread through saliva. Most cases occur after a bite wound, but the bacteria can be transmitted through exposure to saliva itself, for example from a dog lick.

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