Woman dies with Capnocytophaga from her puppy

Woman dies with Capnocytophaga after getting nipped from her new puppy. A tiny nip from a puppy may have led to a fatal infection for a Wisconsin woman, according to news reports.

The woman, 58-year-old Sharon Larson of South Milwaukee, had just adopted a puppy. When it nipped her and caused a small cut, according to local news outlet. Larson soon began experiencing flu-like symptoms, and her husband took her to the hospital.

Larson tested positive for Capnocytophaga, a bacterium commonly found in the mouths of dogs and cats. This can spread through bites, scratches and even licks from pets. Although most people who have contact with dogs and cats won’t get sick with Capnocytophaga.

The bacteria can cause illness, and even death in people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People have greater risk of Capnocytophaga infection if they have weakened immune systems – for example, if they have cancer, diabetes or HIV – or if they’ve had their spleen removed.

Most infections with the bacteria occur in people older than 40. Although infections with Capnocytophaga are rare, they can be deadly: About 30 percent of people who get infected with Capnocytophaga die, and some infections can lead to death within 24 to 72 hours after symptoms appear, according to the CDC.