Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
|
Alternative names Return to top
CSD; Cat scratch fever; BartonellosisDefinition Return to top
Cat scratch disease is an infectious illness caused by the bacteria Bartonella, believed to be transmitted by cat scratches, bites, or exposure to cat saliva. This leads to swelling of the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) near the site of the scratch or bite.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Cat scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae. The disease is spread through contact with an infected cat, as a result of a cat bite or scratch, or contact with cat saliva on broken skin or the conjunctiva of the eye.
Lymph node swelling begins about 2 to 3 weeks after exposure and may persist for months. Swelling may occur at the site of the initial infection followed by enlarged lymph nodes along the lymph drainage route from the injury site.
Occasionally, nodes may form a fistula through the skin and drain. Cat scratch disease is one of the common causes of chronic lymph node swelling in children. Until now, the disease often went unrecognized because of the difficulty in testing.
Recently however, the Bartonella henselae IFA test was shown to be highly sensitive and specific for the detection of infection caused by Bartonella henselae and for the diagnosis of cat scratch disease.
Symptoms Return to top
Common
Signs and tests Return to top
A scratch or injury and a history of contact with a cat indicates that cat scratch disease is the likely cause of the lymph node swelling. In some cases, physical examination also shows an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).Treatment Return to top
Generally, cat scratch disease is not serious. Treatment, other than reassurance, is not usually recommended. However, in severe cases treatment with antibiotics can be helpful.
In AIDS patients and in other people who have suppressed immune systems, cat scratch disease is more serious, and treatment with antibiotics is recommended.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
In children with normal immune systems, spontaneous healing with full recovery is the norm. In immunocompromised people, treatment with antibiotics generally leads to recovery.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if you have enlarged lymph nodes and a history of exposure to a cat.Prevention Return to top
Avoiding contact with cats prevents the disease. Where this is not feasible, good hand washing after playing with a cat, avoiding scratches and bites, and avoiding cat saliva minimizes the risk of infection. Update Date: 1/16/2004 Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |