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Capnocytophaga sputigena bacteremia in a nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient with severe neutropenia: a case report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Capnocytophaga sputigena, a fastidious Gram-negative commensal of the human oral flora, rarely causes bloodstream infections but poses significant risks to immunocompromised hosts, particularly those with hematologic malignancies or mucosal barrier injury. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of C. sputigena bacteremia in a 51-year-old man with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) Stage IV (cT3N2M1), as confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The patient, who was undergoing chemotherapy, presented with severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count 0.04 × 109/L), fever (38.9°C), and oral mucositis. Blood cultures identified slender Gram-negative bacilli, which were confirmed as C. sputigena using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S rDNA sequencing. Initial empirical therapy with meropenem led to clinical improvement, and antimicrobial therapy was subsequently de-escalated to ceftazidime. The patient was eventually discharged in stable condition. CONCLUSIONS: This case underscores that C. sputigena can act as an opportunistic pathogen in solid tumor patients with therapy-induced mucosal damage and highlights the critical importance of meticulous oral care and advanced microbiological diagnostics in managing immunocompromised individuals.

Source: BMC Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1186/s12879-025-12331-1

Authors: Zhi-Ying Deng, Li-Hua Tong, Zhan-Tao Lu, Chun-Lin Liu, Jie Yao

Institution: South China University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Neutropenia and Cancer Infections

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090