this suggests that c. canimorsus replicates intracellularly in macrophages. c. canimorsus cells also show resistance to killing by complement and killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (pnms). c. canimorsus, when in the presence of pmns, feeds on them by deglycosylating host glycans. in fact, in the presence of pmns, c. canimorsus experiences robust growth. c. canimorsus has the ability to evade these necessary immune functions, and, therefore, must be taken seriously. greater knowledge about the pathogenesis of this bacterium is required to prevent and treat the diseases associated with it.