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Review
. 2015 Jun;32(3):216-20.
doi: 10.5114/pdia.2014.44014. Epub 2015 Jun 15.

Cat-scratch disease: a wide spectrum of clinical pictures

Affiliations
Review

Cat-scratch disease: a wide spectrum of clinical pictures

Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska et al. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2015 Jun.

Abstract

The aim of this review is to present an emerging zoonotic disease caused by Bartonella henselae. The wide spectrum of diseases connected with these bacteria varies from asymptomatic cases, to skin inflammation, fever of unknown origin, lymphadenopathy, eye disorders, encephalitis and endocarditis. The reservoirs of B. henselae are domestic animals like cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and occasionally dogs. Diagnosis is most often based on a history of exposure to cats and a serologic test with high titres of the immunoglobulin G antibody to B. henselae. Most cases of cat-scratch disease are self-limited and do not require antibiotic treatment. If an antibiotic is chosen, however, azithromycin has been shown to speed recovery.

Keywords: Bartonella henselae; cat scratch disease; child; lymphadenopathy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cat-scratch disease – active skin lesions (1 week after inoculation)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cat-scratch disease – the crusted lesions after treatment
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cat-scratch disease – local lymphadenopathy
Figure 4
Figure 4
Hypoechoic lymph nodes in CSD – ultrasound picture
Figure 5
Figure 5
Cat-scratch disease – the solitary tissue mass overlying a skull lesion suggesting histiocytosis X

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