# “Friends” that come with man’s best friend: Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis and meningitis in an immunocompromised patient

## TL;DR

A rare case of severe infection caused by a dog-related bacterium in an immunocompromised person is reported, emphasizing the need for advanced diagnostic methods.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the importance of molecular diagnostics for fastidious bacteria in the context of prior antibiotic use.

## Key findings

- C. canimorsus caused sepsis and meningitis in an immunocompromised patient.
- Molecular methods were crucial for diagnosis after prior antibiotic use hindered culture.
- The case underscores the diagnostic challenges with fastidious bacteria.

## Abstract

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a commensal bacterium found in the normal oral microbiota of dogs and cats. It can cause severe systemic infections, such as bacteremia and meningitis, in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent humans.

We present a case of C. canimorsus bacteremia and meningitis with fever, headache, and altered mental status, which posed diagnostic challenges due to the administration of antimicrobials prior to specimen collection.

This case highlights the value of molecular methods in diagnosing severe infections caused by fastidious bacteria and in cases of antibiotic use before culture.