Life-Threatening Capnocytophaga canimorsus Sepsis Associated With Ustekinumab Use for Psoriatic Arthritis

Abstract

Abstract Capnocytophage canimorsus is a gram-negative rod bacterium that composes the microbial biome in the oral cavity of some canines and felines. It is mostly seen in patients with underlying disorder such as asplenia, general alcohol abuse, and cirrhosis. It can lead to multiple complications for patients that include meningitis, endocarditis, and sepsis. The history and the broad differential are important details for clinicians because of its slow-growing nature during blood culturing. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and life support are considered the mainstays of treatment for a patient presenting with unknown sepsis that may be caused by C. canimorsus. The authors present the risk factors, clinical picture, and treatment for the encounter of a patient with sepsis secondary to C. canimorsus.