Cat-scratch disease: a wide spectrum of clinical pictures

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.

Zoonotic Bacteria Associated with Cats

“…6 Clinical signs of CSD in humans can range from asymptomatic conditions to lymphadenopathy, proximal to the site of a cat scratch or bite to serious manifestations such as bacillary angiomatosis, hepatic peliosis, eye disorders, osteomyelitis, encephalitis, endocarditis, and other complications, particularly in patients with immunocompromising conditions such as AIDS. 8 Although, most of the clinically reported cases do not need to be treated with antibiotics, the use of azithromycin has been shown to speed up recovery for those affected by CSD. 8,9 Pradofloxacin, an extended spectrum fluoroquinolone may be useful for the treatment of infected cats.…”

“…8 Although, most of the clinically reported cases do not need to be treated with antibiotics, the use of azithromycin has been shown to speed up recovery for those affected by CSD. 8,9 Pradofloxacin, an extended spectrum fluoroquinolone may be useful for the treatment of infected cats. 10 It may be possible to eliminate chronic infection in cats, but to date an optimal protocol has not been established.…”

Pyogranulomatous Pancarditis with Intramyocardial Bartonella henselae San Antonio 2 (BhSA2) in a Dog

“…Pyogranulomatous inflammation involving a single organ or multiple tissues occurs with B. henselae in humans, cats, and dogs . Natural infection with B. henselae or B. vinsonii subsp berkhoffii in dogs has been correlated with granulomatous hepatitis, rhinitis, sialoadenitis, mediastinitis, polyarthritis, lymphadenitis, uveitis, meningitis, encephalitis, and panniculitis, the latter 5 of which were observed in this case.…”

“…Bartonella spp. may cause a chronic relapsing bacteremia among reservoir hosts and resultant opportunistic infections in nonreservoir hosts . Due to Bartonella 's ability to cause persistent infection within numerous cell types, demonstration of causation is often challenging and requires a high index of suspicion …”

“…Bartonella henselae has important one health implications and has been associated with a wide spectrum of clinical disease syndromes in dogs and humans. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Bartonella spp. are Gram-negative, alpha-proteobacteria implicated as a cause of culture-negative endocarditis, arrhythmias, myocarditis, and sudden death in animals and humans.…”