Capnocytophaga canimorsus septicaemia in an asplenic patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Asplenic patients are highly susceptible to infections with encapsulated bacteria such as Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a gram negative bacillus which is a commensal organism in cat and dog saliva. We describe the first case of septic shock due to C canimorsus infection occurring in a 51-year-old woman with functional asplenism related to systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholipid antibodies. Because of the potential severity of this infection, physicians have to be aware of its occurrence in lupus patients.