American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What clinical scenario often leads to severe complications including cellulitis in asplenic patients?

1. Exposure to unsanitary living conditions

2. Infection associated with Capnocytophaga canimorsus

3. Routine dental sepsis

4. Allergic reactions

The correct answer is: Infection associated with Capnocytophaga canimorsus

Asplenic patients, or individuals who have had their spleen removed, are at an increased risk of infections due to the spleen's crucial role in filtering bacteria and managing the immune response. One particularly serious risk for these patients is infection with Capnocytophaga canimorsus, which is a bacterium commonly found in the saliva of dogs. In patients who are asplenic, exposure to this pathogen can result in severe complications, including cellulitis, because the body is less equipped to efficiently clear such infections without the defensive function of the spleen. The potential for rapid progression to severe systemic illness in these patients makes Capnocytophaga infections especially concerning. Other scenarios, such as exposure to unsanitary living conditions or routine dental procedures, do not specifically account for the notable risks that asplenic individuals face regarding this particular bacterium. While any infection can be dangerous for someone without a spleen, the specific association between Capnocytophaga canimorsus and severe infections leading to cellulitis positions this option as the most relevant clinical scenario.