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Septic shock caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus in a patient with heterozygous Pelger-Huët anomaly

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Abstract

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a Gram-negative bacillus of the commensal flora of dogs and cats that can cause infections in humans through bites, scratches or contact with oral secretions. It can be difficult to identify in clinical microbiology laboratories because of the need for specific culture media. We present the case of a patient with no relevant medical history who was admitted with septic shock, where blood smear examination was crucial for the etiologic diagnosis of Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection. The patient was also diagnosed Pelger-Huët anomaly, a condition causing a defect in neutrophil chemotaxis, which may have contributed to the severity of the infection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Intensive Care Unit. University Son Llàtzer Hospital, Ctra. Manacor PK 4 (Son Ferriol), 07198, Palma, Spain

    Sara Franco-Serrano, Yasmina Nieto-Piñar, Catalina Forteza-Cañellas & Gemma Rialp-Cervera

  2. Hematology Service. University Son Llàtzer Hospital, Palma, Spain

    Neus Amer-Salas, Irene Vázquez-Fernández & Joan J. Bargay-Lleonart

Authors
  1. Sara Franco-Serrano
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  2. Neus Amer-Salas
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  3. Yasmina Nieto-Piñar
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  4. Irene Vázquez-Fernández
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  5. Catalina Forteza-Cañellas
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  6. Gemma Rialp-Cervera
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  7. Joan J. Bargay-Lleonart
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Correspondence to Sara Franco-Serrano.

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Franco-Serrano, S., Amer-Salas, N., Nieto-Piñar, Y. et al. Septic shock caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus in a patient with heterozygous Pelger-Huët anomaly. Int J Hematol 116, 807–811 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-022-03400-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-022-03400-1

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