Capnocytophaga canimorsus septic shock complicated by multiorgan failure: an unexpected case with a favourable outcome

Background: The aim of our report was to describe an unusual and exemplary case of Capnocytopha-ga canimorsus septic shock in a patient who has not been exposed to dogs or cats. Case report: A splenectomized 60-year-old male without a known at-risk bite wound was diagnosed with C. canimorsus septic shock, complicated by multiorgan failure and disseminated intravascular coag-ulation. The patient was empirically treated and recovered without sequelae. The favorable outcome was related to a prompt diagnosis and a timely treatment, despite the absence of epidemiological and suspi-cion clues. A narrative review and case series demonstrates that only one previous article has reported a case of bacteremia and meningitis without a dog bite in an immunocompetent individual. Conclusions: It is important to recognize any case of C. canimorsus sepsis in splenectomized patients, particu-larly those presenting with fulminant sepsis, even without a history of dog bites, scratches and licks.