What is Capnocytophaga?

What is Capnocytophaga?

Capnocytophaga is a group of facultative anaerobic gram-negative bacteria present in the oral cavity of humans, dogs and cats, as part of their normal oral flora.

Can Capnocytophaga spread from dog to human?

Rarely, Capnocytophaga germs can spread to people through bites, scratches, or close contact from a dog or cat and may cause illness, including sepsis. Most people who have contact with a dog or cat do not become sick.

Which antibiotics are used to treat Capnocytophaga infections?

Although there is no consensus guideline for the treatment of Capnocytophaga infections, the antibiotics to which Capnocytophaga species are already known to be susceptible, such as clindamycin, imipenem/cilastatin, and β-lactamase inhibitors, are appropriate choices for patient management [ 3 ].

What are the possible complications of Capnocytophaga infection in neutropenia?

Capnocytophaga treatment may be complicated by drug resistance development. Capnocytophaga species belong to the oral microbiota but are not a common cause of infection in febrile neutropenia. Nevertheless, neutropenia can cause bacteremia associated with mucositis, with lower rates of mortality.