[Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis after a dog bite]

A 63-year-old man was admitted to hospital. He had a history of splenectomy secondary to trauma, previous alcohol abuse, cirrhosis and oesophagus varices. The patient had been bitten by a dog three days before admittance. He rapidly developed disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction. Six days after the bite, the patient died despite antibiotic treatment. The gram-negative rod Capnocytophaga canimorsus was found in the blood culture. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of infections in post-splenectomy patients as they carry a greater-than-normal risk of serious complications.