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Clinical and Epidemiologic Review of Capnocytophaga Spp. Infections Identified at a Public Health Reference
Rebecca A Campagna1, Emily A Kelly1,2, Duc J Vugia1
1Infectious Diseases Branch, Division of Communicable Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Sacramento, California, USA.
Introduction:
Capnocytophaga is a genus of bacteria that are commensal to the oral microbiome of humans and some animals. Some Capnocytophaga species are found in the human oral cavity and rarely cause disease in people; the species found in animals are zoönotic and can be transmitted to people via saliva. This study describes the clinical and epidemiologic features of patients from whom Capnocytophaga spp. were isolated from blood and other clinical specimens at the California state Microbial Diseases Laboratory.
Methods:
Clinical information was obtained from laboratory submission forms and any accompanying medical records and/or from matching records in statewide hospital discharge and emergency department databases.
Results:
During the 17-year study period (2005-2021), Capnocytophaga spp. were isolated in 48 specimens from 47 patients. Capnocytophaga canimorsus , which is a zoönotic species, represented 85% of the Capnocytophaga spp. identified to the species level. The median age was 67 years (range: 30-88 years) for the 42 patients infected with a zoönotic species of Capnocytophaga and 36 years (range: 12-65 years) for the four patients infected with a non-zoönotic species. Twenty-five (60%) patients with zoönotic species infections were male, compared to two (50%) patients with non-zoönotic species infections. Capnocytophaga spp. were most frequently isolated from blood (88%), and the most common case presentation was sepsis (45%). A dog or cat bite prior to diagnosis was reported for 14% of patients infected with a zoönotic species of Capnocytophaga. Records for 45% of patients indicated at least one pre-existing health condition associated with depressed immune function.
Conclusions:
This study documented that Capnocytophaga spp. can cause rare, severe, invasive disease in mostly older or immunocompromised persons, often without documentation of a dog or cat bite. Providers are encouraged to consider Capnocytophaga spp. infection in immunocompromised pet owners presenting with sepsis, even in the absence of a known animal bite.
Insights
Capnocytophaga bacteria can cause severe illness, particularly in older or immunocompromised individuals. This zoonotic species, often transmitted via saliva, can lead to sepsis even without a known animal bite.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Capnocytophaga are oral commensal bacteria in humans and animals.
- Zoonotic Capnocytophaga species can be transmitted to humans through saliva.
- Rarely, Capnocytophaga species cause invasive disease in humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical and epidemiologic features of patients with Capnocytophaga spp. infections.
- To identify risk factors and common presentations of Capnocytophaga spp. infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of Capnocytophaga spp. isolations from clinical specimens.
- Data collected from laboratory records, medical charts, and hospital databases over 17 years (2005-2021).
- Clinical and demographic information analyzed for 47 patients.
Main Results:
- Capnocytophaga spp. were isolated from 47 patients between 2005 and 2021.
- Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a zoonotic species, accounted for 85% of identified Capnocytophaga.
- Sepsis was the most common presentation (45%), often in older (median age 67) or immunocompromised patients; 14% reported a dog or cat bite.
Conclusions:
- Capnocytophaga spp. can cause severe, invasive disease in older or immunocompromised individuals.
- Infection may occur without a documented animal bite, especially in immunocompromised pet owners.
- Clinicians should consider Capnocytophaga spp. in at-risk patients presenting with sepsis.
