Capnocytophaga canimorsus endocarditis with root abscess in a patient with a bicuspid aortic valve

Infective endocarditis caused by a zoonotic micro-organism is a rare clinical condition. Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a bacterium of the normal oral flora of dogs and cats. It can be transmitted to humans by bite, scratch or others close contacts with dogs, and occasionally cats. It has been implicated in a spectrum of disorders including septicemia, meningitis and septic arthritis. Splenectomy and alcoholism have been reported to be risk factors, but infection may occur in previously healthy patients. We reported the case of a 65-year-old man with bicuspid aortic valve endocarditis and multiple abscesses of the aortic wall caused by the canine bacteria Capnocytophaga canimorsus. This case highlights the capacity of Capnocytophaga canimorsus to produce endocarditis whose incidence may be underestimated due to slow growth and incorrect identification of the organism.