Which bug is known to cause overwhelming sepsis in asplenics following a dog bite?

A dog bite can introduce a variety of pathogens, but in individuals who have had their spleens removed or are functionally asplenic, certain bacteria pose a higher risk for severe infections. Capnocytophaga canimorsus is particularly notable in this context because it can lead to rapid onset of overwhelming sepsis in asplenic patients.

This bacterium is part of the normal flora of dogs and can be transmitted through bites or scratches. In immunocompetent individuals, infections may be mild or entirely asymptomatic; however, in asplenic individuals, the risk of life-threatening infections, including sepsis, is significantly increased due to their impaired ability to clear encapsulated organisms.

Indeed, this highlights the importance of understanding the unique vulnerabilities that asplenic individuals face, especially concerning certain pathogens that can normally coexist harmlessly in other hosts, like dogs. The rapid progression to sepsis due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus infections serves as a clinical reminder for healthcare providers to be vigilant in treating dog bites in asplenic patients and to consider appropriate prophylactic measures when necessary.