Culture-negative Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis diagnosed by 16s ribosomal RNA polymerase chain reaction in an immunocompetent veterinarian and a review of the literature

Abstract

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a fastidious, capnophilic and facultative anaerobic Gram-negative rod found commonly in the oral flora of dogs that may cause zoonotic infections such as cellulitis and eye infections. In immunocompromised patients, it may cause fulminant sepsis. Meningitis due to C. canimorsus is, however, a rare manifestation. This is the first reported case of C. canimorsus meningitis in Australia in an immunocompetent veterinarian diagnosed by 16s ribosomal RNA polymerase chain reaction.

Keywords: 16s rRNA PCR; Capnocytophaga canimorsus; immunocompetent; meningitis; veterinarian.