About the Project
Background
Capnocytophaga species are part of the normal oral microbiome some animals, such as dogs, cats and humans. While these bacteria are typically harmless in animals, certain species, notably Capnocytophaga canimorsus, can occasionally be transmitted to humans, most often through bites, and may in rare cases cause severe infections [ref]. Furthermore, some human-associated Capnocytophaga have been implicated in periodontal diseases and can cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals [ref].
The Global Capnocytophaga Consortium is dedicated advancing our understanding of Capnocytophaga species. By combining genomic, epidemiological, and experimental approaches, we aim to:
The Consortium
The Global Capnocytophaga Consortium is a collaborative network of human clinical and veterinary microbiology laboratories, hospitals, and academic institutions. The consortium was established to coordinate the retrospective collection, characterization, and biobanking of Capnocytophaga spp. from both human and animal sources worldwide.
Project Timeline
The project is part of Zoey Germuskova’s PhD work at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.
2023: Project kick-off
2023-2025: Retrospective sample collection
2024-2026: Whole genome sequencing and characterization
2026+: Data analysis and publication of findings
Contact
For information about joining the consortium or contributing samples, please contact Zoey Germuskova, or Adrian Egli.