Capnocytophaga canimorsus.

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a commensal bacterium in the oral flora of dogs and cats. The bacterium is a zoonotic agent and has been isolated from humans, infected by dog or cat bites, scratches, licks or simply exposure to dogs or cats. Here the infectious agent, its pathogenicity and potential virulence factors, infection in animals and humans, diagnostic methods, prevalence, therapy and prevention are described. Suggestions for future research are given. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.