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A case of Capnocytophaga canimorsus sacral abscess in an immunocompetent patient

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Abstract

We report a unique case of sacral Capnocytophaga canimorsus abscess successfully treated with surgery and antibiotics. Close contact to a dog was assumed to be the most likely source of infection. Established risk factors for invasive C. canimorsus infection such as splenectomy, alcoholism or overt immunosuppression could not be identified. The role of cigarette smoking, portal of entry and the possible relevance of altered skin microbiota as well as the diagnostic value of polymerase chain reaction are discussed in the light of the scarce literature of spinal C. canimorsus infections.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Christian Kahlert for his valuable input on human microbiota and Dr. Ivan Chau for proof-reading the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    H. Joswig, B. Gers & R. Heilbronner

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    C. Strahm

  3. Center for Laboratory Medicine, Frohbergstr. 3, 9001, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    G. Dollenmaier

Authors
  1. H. Joswig
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  2. B. Gers
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  3. G. Dollenmaier
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  4. R. Heilbronner
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  5. C. Strahm
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Joswig.

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Joswig, H., Gers, B., Dollenmaier, G. et al. A case of Capnocytophaga canimorsus sacral abscess in an immunocompetent patient. Infection 43, 217–221 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-014-0681-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-014-0681-6

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