Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
An unusual case of a diffuse targetoid rash.
- Journal:
- Clinical and experimental dermatology
- Year:
- 2022
- Authors:
- Yethenpa, Sonam et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Dermatology · United Kingdom
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Capnocytophaga canis is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the mouths of dogs and cats. While it usually doesn’t cause problems, it can sometimes lead to serious infections in humans, ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe conditions like sepsis, which is a life-threatening response to infection. In one reported case, a person developed sepsis along with a purplish rash, swelling of the skin, and a distinctive target-like rash due to this bacteria. This situation highlights the potential risks of infections from pet-related bacteria, and it's important to be aware of any unusual symptoms after being around pets.
Abstract
Capnocytophaga canis is a commensal bacterium present in the oral cavities of dogs and cats. Human infection with Capnocytophaga spp. can present with a range of symptoms from mild flu-like illness to sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. A case fatality rate of up to 31% has been reported. We present a case of C. canis infection presenting with sepsis, purpura, cellulitis and a targetoid rash. Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35802028/