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Cat-scratch disease

Definition

Cat-scratch disease is an infection with bartonella bacteria. It is transmitted by cat scratches, cat bites, or flea bites.

Alternative Names

CSD; Cat-scratch fever; Bartonellosis

Causes

Cat-scratch disease is caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. The disease is spread through contact with an infected cat (a bite or scratch) or exposure to cat fleas. It also can be spread through contact with cat saliva on broken skin or mucosal surfaces like those in the nose, mouth, and eyes.

Symptoms

A person who has had contact with an infected cat may show common symptoms, including:

  • Bump (papule) or blister (pustule) at site of injury (usually the first sign)
  • Fatigue
  • Fever (in some people)
  • Headache
  • Lymph node swelling (lymphadenopathy) near the site of the scratch or bite
  • Overall discomfort (malaise)

Less common symptoms may include:

Exams and Tests

If you have swollen lymph nodes and a scratch or bite from a cat, your health care provider may suspect cat-scratch disease.

A physical exam may also reveal an enlarged spleen.

Sometimes, an infected lymph node may form a tunnel (fistula) through the skin and drain (leak fluid).

This disease is hard to diagnose, in part because it is rare. The Bartonella henselae immunofluorescence assay (IFA) blood test can detect the infection caused by these bacteria. The results of this test will be considered along with other information from your medical history, lab tests, or biopsy.

A lymph node biopsy may also be done to look for other causes of swollen glands.

Treatment

Most often, cat-scratch disease is not serious. Medical treatment may not be needed. In some cases, treatment with antibiotics such as azithromycin can be helpful. Other antibiotics may be used, including:

  • Clarithromycin
  • Rifampin
  • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
  • Ciprofloxacin

In people with HIV/AIDS and others, who have a weak immune system, cat-scratch disease is more serious. Treatment with antibiotics may be needed.

Outlook (Prognosis)

People who have a healthy immune system should recover fully without treatment. People with a weak immune system need antibiotic treatment to recover.

Possible Complications

People with weak immune systems may develop complications such as:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if you have enlarged lymph nodes and you have been exposed to a cat.

Prevention

To prevent cat-scratch disease:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after playing with your cat. Wash any bites or scratches thoroughly.
  • Play gently with cats so they don't scratch and bite.
  • Don't allow a cat to lick your skin, eyes, mouth, or open wounds or scratches.
  • Use flea control measures to lower the risk your cat develops the disease.
  • Don't handle feral cats.

Gallery

Cat scratch disease
Cat scratch disease is an infectious illness associated with cat scratches, bites, or exposure to cat saliva, causing chronic swelling of the lymph nodes. Cat scratch disease is possibly the most common cause of chronic lymph node swelling in children.
Stomach
The stomach is the portion of the digestive system most responsible for breaking down food. The lower esophageal sphincter at the top of the stomach regulates food passing from the esophagus into the stomach, and prevents the contents of the stomach from reentering the esophagus. The pyloric sphincter at the bottom of the stomach governs the passage of food out of the stomach into the small intestine.

References

Rolain JM, Raoult D. Bartonella infections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 299.

Rose SR, Koehler JE. Bartonella, including cat-scratch disease. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 234.

Last reviewed September 1, 2021 by Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

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