While it is rare, rapid progression of the infection leading to death has been reported in people who are immunocompromised. The elderly, those who consume a lot of alcohol, and people without a spleen are also at a greater risk.
Warning people about the potential dangers of having pet saliva in or on your mouth, the TikTok user goes onto explain that “depending on how fast it progresses and when it’s diagnosed, amputation may become the only treatment.”
Kiss of death?
Over the past few years, there have been a few cases involving Capnocytophaga that have received a lot of attention.
In 2022, South African actress Charlbi Dean died unexpectedly in August from bacterial sepsis. The 32-year-old Triangle of Sadness actress had her spleen removed after a 2009 car crash, which family says might have contributed to the quick progression of the infection.
In Dean’s case, the medical examiner did not confirm if the infection was caused by an animal.
Earlier in 2019, Ohio’s Marie Trainer had both hands and legs amputated after getting a rare infection from a German shepherd puppy, Taylor, who licked an open cut. Despite almost dying, Trainer said she has no intention of parting with either of her two dogs and even had them visit her in hospital.
They brought them here two times at the hospital so I can see them and that just put the biggest smile on my face,” she told CNN.
Meanwhile, in June 2018, the alarm was sounded when doctors found the bacteria Capnocytophaga canimorsus in two unrelated Wisconsin patients.
Milwaukee’s Sharon Larson, 58, died after a small nip by her dog and in the same month, Greg Manteufel, 48, of West Bend, had both his hands and lower legs amputated in a lifesaving surgery. Manteufel said he had been in contact with a few dogs, but not bitten.
Both Larson and Manteufel were reported as being healthy, suggesting that anyone is at risk for capnocytophaga.
Read more on next page
