Fatal septicaemia caused by DF-2 in a previously healthy man

A case of fatal septicaemia caused by DF-2, a fastidious gram-negative rod is presented. Attention is drawn to the connection between DF-2 septicaemia and dog bites or contacts, not only in patients with impaired host defence but also in previously healthy individuals. As the organism is difficult to subculture, infections with DF-2 may easily be overlooked.