Underestimating a Dog Bite

Abstract

Abstract Dog bites may result in serious bacterial infections because of various microorganisms, including gram-negative rod Capnocytophaga canimorsus, whose disease can be complicated by acute development of sepsis and/or meningitis. In this review, we report a case of C. canimorsus meningitis in a patient with major risk factors and subsequently analyze 48 other cases described in literature. Approximately a little less than 50% of reported cases had a major predisposing condition such as splenectomy, alcoholism, or immunosuppressive treatment. In almost all of the cases, recent animal exposure was reported. Sensorineural hearing loss, which has been described as a permanent complication of C. canimorsus meningitis, was present in a minority of cases (18%), and a possible association with alcoholism was observed. In conclusion, C. canimorsus should be considered as a possible cause of sporadic meningitis in adults, particularly if presenting with a subacute course or deafness and in concomitance of major predisposing conditions, such as alcoholism.