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Case Reports
. 2017 Apr;23(4):712-713.
doi: 10.3201/eid2304.161733.

Bartonella-Associated Transverse Myelitis

Case Reports

Bartonella-Associated Transverse Myelitis

Parham Sendi et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Each year in the United States, 500 patients are hospitalized for cat-scratch disease, caused by Bartonella henselae infection. We report a case of rare but serious neurologic B. henselae infection. When typical features of cat-scratch disease occur with neurologic findings, Bartonella infection should be suspected and diagnostic testing should be performed.

Keywords: Bartonella henselae; bacteria; cat-scratch disease; myelitis; transverse myelitis; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Images of woman with transverse myelitis and Bartonella henselea infection. A) Magnetic resonance image of the spine showing transverse myelitis (arrowhead). Fat-saturated (fs) T1-weighted image with contrast medium (cm), sagittal plane (left panel) and axial plane (middle panel). T2-weighted image, sagittal plane (right panel). B) Coronal view of computed tomography image of the chest, showing right axillar lymphadenopathy (arrows). C) Right index finger, showing a persistent ulcer from a cat scratch.

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