Meningitis due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus after receipt of a dog bite: case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

We describe a case of meningitis due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus and review 18 cases with attention to risk factors, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. In most of the reported cases, contact with dogs and predisposing factors were found. Clinical manifestations and the findings of examinations of cerebrospinal fluid specimens were similar to those of classic bacterial meningitis; however, the mortality rate for C. canimorsus meningitis very low when compared with the rate for C. canimorsus septicemia (5% vs. 30%).