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Name
Cat Scratch Disease, Feline
Short Description
Cat scratch disease, Bartonella henselae
Affected Animals: Humans. Cats carry the bacteria, but typically do
not get sick from it.
Overview: Individuals with compromised immune
systems who are thinking about bringing a kitten into their home may
want to first have the animal's blood cultured for Bartonella
henselae, the bacteria that causes cat scratch disease.
Cats can act as carriers, without being ill themselves, and can pass
on the disease when they scratch or bite people. The wound does not
have to be very deep to do its damage -- still, washing bites or
scratches immediately with anti-bacterial soap is an important step
in helping prevent the illness from occurring.
Relatively healthy individuals can become sick from Bartonella
henselae; however, their symptoms are usually mild and disappear
within a few weeks or months. As a precautionary measure, it is
recommended that people who have poorly functioning immune systems,
due to disease, other disorders, or chemotherapy, avoid kittens and
young cats -- and, if they do get bitten or scratched, they should
seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Clinical Signs: Cats typically do not show signs of sickness when
they are infected with Bartonella henselae. People who contract the
bacteria through a bite wound or scratch develop an erythematous
papule at the site of the wound. In three to 10 days,
lymphadenopathy may develop. People with the disease may also
experience fever, anorexia, malaise, headache, myalgia, arthralgia,
nausea, and skin eruptions. Most cases of cat scratch disease are
self-limiting, but may take several months to resolve.
Symptoms: Cats typically do not show signs of sickness when
they are infected with Bartonella henselae. People who contract the
bacteria through a bite or a scratch develop a raised, reddened area
at the site of the wound. Three to 10 days later, their lymph nodes
may become very tender and swollen. Those afflicted with the illness
may develop a mild fever, lose weight, develop red, raised bumps on
their skin, and experience flu-like symptoms such as headaches, pain
in the muscles and joints, and nausea. Most cases of cat scratch
disease will resolve spontaneously; however, this can take several
months.
Description: Bartonella henselae is a
gram-negative bacterium that is passed on to kittens and young cats
by fleas, or possibly other biting insects. Older cats generally do
not carry Bartonella henselae because their immune systems are well
developed and better able to clear the infection. Kittens and young
cats usually do not get sick from the bacteria, but humans can
become seriously ill when bitten or scratched by an infected cat.
Cat scratch disease is especially threatening to people with
compromised immune systems; for them, symptoms of the illness may
remain for an extended period of time. Individuals with normal
immune systems, however, are usually resistant to infection, or are
able to fight off the bacteria in a couple of weeks to months.
Diagnosis: A physician may diagnose a person with cat
scratch disease if he or she has been scratched by a kitten or young
cat recently, and is experiencing the symptoms associated with the
illness. A definitive diagnosis can be made once a sample of the
person's blood has tested positive for antibodies to the organism,
or blood or tissue has cultured positive for the bacteria,
Bartonella henselae.
Prognosis: The prognosis is generally good for humans who
develop cat scratch disease. It may take months for the bacteria to
be completely eliminated from the body, but severe complications are
rare. People tend to develop a life-long immunity to the bacteria
once they have been infected. In immunosuppressed individuals, the
disease can be very serious and may require prolonged treatment.
Transmission or Cause: Cat scratch fever is caused by the bacterium,
Bartonella henselae, which is transmitted to humans when bitten or
scratched by an infected kitten or cat. Other methods of
transmission are currently being researched.
Treatment: Antibiotic protocols that eliminate the bacteria
from infected cats have not been clearly established. A variety of
antibiotics have been used to treat the illness in people and have
been quite effective in treating certain forms of infection. In
other forms, the antibiotics will control the disease but not clear
it completely. A physician should be consulted if the disease is
suspected.
Prevention: Thoroughly wash all cat scratches and bites no
matter how small they appear. Do not allow individuals with poor
immune systems to play with kittens or young cats. Take special care
to prevent cats from coming into contact with open wounds. Control
fleas in the environment because they transmit the bacteria to cats
and are currently under investigation as possible vectors in
transmitting the bacteria directly to humans.
