Capnocytophaga

Epidemiology

• normal oral flora of domestic animals, especially dogs
• splenectomized individuals are at risk
• dog & cat bites are associated with 50% of cases
  • dog scratch followed by dog saliva

Pathology

• bacteremia & fulminant sepsis, primarily in splenectomized or hyposplenic (i.e. cirrhotic) individuals

Laboratory

• difficulty growing in routine media

Management

penicillin or cephalosporin

More general terms

• Cytophagaceae