Capnocytophaga sepsis causing purpura fulminans in a 50-year-old man with chronic opioid use

Abstract

We present a case of polymicrobial sepsis with Capnocytophaga spp. complicated by purpura fulminans following a dog-bite in a 50-year-old-man with an extensive history of opioid use disorder. Generally, severe Capnocytophaga cases are thought to occur in patients with underlying immune deficiencies. However, this case highlights the importance of maintaining clinical suspicion for Capnocytophaga infection in immunocompetent patients, and we discuss the role of chronic opioid-use in severe infection.

Keywords

• Capnocytophaga
• Polymicrobial sepsis
• Purpura fulminans
• Chronic opioid use