Capnocytophaga bacteremia in the compromised host

Capnocytophaga, a CO2-requiring gram-negative bacillus, is a recently recognized pathogen in the immunocompromised host. The authors present two cases with granulocytopenia, oral disease and bacteremia with Capnocytophage ochracea. The microbiology of this genus, its clinical association with periodontal disease, granulocytopenia and oral ulceration, and its implications for the compromised host are reviewed.