An unusual case of septic shock in a geriatric patient

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative rod that is a normal inhabitant of the oral flora of most dogs, cats and other animals. Clinically significant infections of humans by this common organism are extremely rare. We present a case of an 87-year-old woman who presented with septic shock and multiorgan system failure. Blood cultures were positive for a gram-negative rod that five days after admission was identified as C. canimorsus. She was treated aggressively with intravenous fluid resuscitation, vasopressors and parenteral antibiotics and recovered. The epidemiology, virulence factors, and treatment options for C. canimorsus are discussed.