Original article available at: https://www.eoswetenschap.eu/natuur-milieu/deze-dodelijke-bacterie-leeft...
Author: Aishwarya Saxena, PhD-student at the Research Unit in Biology of Microorganisms (URBM) at the University of Namur.
English automatic translation:
The mouth of dogs is a breeding ground for microbes. One of them is particularly dangerous for people.
Dogs are often called man’s best friend. They offer many benefits such as security, companionship and better physical and mental well-being. However, especially older owners should be aware of potentially life-threatening infections that they can incur through their loyal companion. The mouth of dogs is a breeding ground for microbes. While most of these microbes are harmless, there are some that can cause life-threatening infections. The rabies virus is a well-known example, but the chance to become infected in the Netherlands or Belgium is fortunately small.
For the bacteria Capnocytophaga canimorsus it is still lent to be ignored. It occurs naturally in the oral cavity of healthy dogs and cats. But when we are bitten by a dog or cat, this bacterium can multiply in our bodies and make us sick. Symptoms appear within three to five days after the bite and include local inflammation in the form of blisters, redness and swelling, as well as fever, vomiting and headache. These infections are rapid and can lead to blood poisoning, and if left untreated, even to death. However, the absence of local inflammation can pose a huge challenge to the diagnosis of infection. Infections by C. canimors are reportedly fatal in forty percent of cases. They pose not only a threat to the elderly, but also to people with a weakened immune system or pre-existing conditions such as splenectomy or a damaged liver.
Capsule capsule
To prevent such infections, it is advised to immediately wash the wound with soap and water after a bite by a dog or a cat. It is also crucial to consult your doctor, even if there are no symptoms. Only if the diagnosis is made early enough, these types of infections can be treated with antibiotics.
C. canimorsus is adapted to survive in our body. For this, C. canimorsus has genetic factors to extract the necessary nutrients from our body. Furthermore, the microbe can bypass the immune system thanks to a special protective layer. This ‘capsule’, which consists of complex carbohydrates, helps C. canimorsus to prevent our immune system from recognizing and eliminating the bacteria.
At the University of Namur, the team of Prof. Guy Cornelis and Dr. Francesco Renzi research into this pathogen. Recently, they found that only bacteria with a particular type of capsule (serovar type A, B, and C) are responsible for about 98 percent of infections in humans. This information not only helps with a faster diagnosis, but also indicates the capsules of this pathogen as potential vaccine targets.