In a 43-year-old woman admitted because of fever and high cardiac output shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation with purpura was present. The peripheral blood smear revealed the presence of intraleukocytic elongated bacilli, but growth of bacteria (further identified as DF2) in the blood cultures was detected only two weeks after admission. Despite intensive therapy with hemodynamic and respiratory support, associated with broad spectrum antibiotherapy, the patient died on the third day of hospitalisation. The past medical history of the patient revealed splenectomy for Hodgkin's disease 4 years previously, but no recent dog bite.