EN
The paper presents the characteristics of the gram-negative Capnocytophaga (C.) canimorsus rod, which mainly occurs in the oral cavity and belongs to the genus Capnocytophaga. Among members of the genus Capnocytophaga there are five species isolated from the human oral cavity: C. gingivalis, C. ochracea, C. sputigena, C. granulosa and C. haemolytica, as well as two species isolated from dogs and cats: C. canimorsus and C. cynodegmi. Human infections with C. canimorsus occur usually as a result of bites (54% of cases) and scratches (8.5%) by dogs and cats, although this bacterium is also found in sheep, cattle and rabbits. A small number of C. canimorsus infections in humans is due to insufficient diagnostics, because the infection is often mild and does not lead to serious clinical conditions, so that it is often not reported. The diagnosis of a C. canimorsus infection is usually made on the basis of a bacterial culture of blood or other body fluids, Gram stain blood smears or by using methods based on molecular examination. The first choice in a C. canimorsus infection is systemic antibiotic treatment, which in several countries is recommended for all persons after a dog bite. Prophylactically all healthy pets should be tested for C. canimorsus.