Renal failure due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus generalized Shwartzman reaction from a dog bite (DF-2 nephropathy)

We report a case of a 54-year-old man who developed gram-negative sepsis with multiorgan failure and generalized Shwartzman reaction after sustaining a dog bite. The causative organism was the fastidious gram-negative rod Capnocytophaga canimorsus, which is a commensal organism found in the oral flora of dogs and cats. More than 30 years after it was first described and despite technological advances in identification techniques, proper identification of this organism remains a challenge. In light of the increase in pet ownership as well as the increase in the different immunocompromised populations of the 21st century, we decided to revisit the case and reignite awareness of physicians caring for patients with recent dog or cat bites presenting with fulminant sepsis.