Cat-scratch disease

Cat-scratch disease is a bacterial infection associated with Bartonella henselae ^[1]. It is described as a common infection and is generally self-limited ^[1]. Source-backed detail on additional etiologic or pathologic characterization is not yet available.

The usual presentation is tender lymphadenopathy ^[1]. More disseminated presentations are reported infrequently and may include hepatosplenomegaly or meningoencephalitis ^[1]. Bacillary angiomatosis is also noted in patients with AIDS in the context of this disease ^[1]. A separate review of granulomatous lymphadenitis notes that cat-scratch disease can involve axillary and cervical lymph nodes and contributes to granuloma formation with monocytoid B lymphocytes, T cells, and macrophages ^[2].

The disease is commonly diagnosed in children, although adults can also be affected ^[1]. The sources also place cat-scratch disease among infectious causes of granulomatous lymphadenitis and note a tendency to involve axillary and cervical lymph nodes ^[2]. No source-backed population rates, seasonality, or geographic burden estimates are provided in the supplied material.

Asymptomatic, bacteremic cats with Bartonella henselae in their saliva are described as vectors through biting and clawing of the skin ^[1]. Cat fleas are responsible for horizontal transmission from cat to cat, and on occasion arthropod vectors such as fleas or ticks may transmit the disease to humans ^[1].

Children are described as a commonly diagnosed group, although adults may also present with disease ^[1]. The sources also note bacillary angiomatosis in patients with AIDS in association with this infection ^[1].

The supplied sources do not provide a formal prevention section. The transmission evidence suggests that reducing exposure to bites and clawing from bacteremic cats and limiting arthropod-vector exposure are relevant control considerations, but source-backed detail on specific preventive measures is not yet available ^[1].

In surveillance, cat-scratch disease should be read as a common cause of tender lymphadenopathy and an important consideration in fever of unknown origin and lymphadenopathy syndromes ^[1]. The sources also indicate that it may present rarely in disseminated form, which may broaden the monitoring signal beyond isolated node enlargement ^[1]. Source-backed detail on case definitions, reporting thresholds, or routine surveillance burden is not yet available.

1. 1 Klotz SA et al. Cat-scratch Disease. Am Fam Physician. 2011 Jan 15. PMID: 21243990. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21243990/
2. 2 Asano S et al. Granulomatous lymphadenitis. J Clin Exp Hematop. 2012. PMID: 22706525. doi: 10.3960/jslrt.52.1. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22706525/
3. 3 Mahajan VK et al. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: A comprehensive review. World J Clin Cases. 2023 Jun 6. PMID: 37383134. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i16.3664. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37383134/
4. 4 Cat-scratch Disease. BMJ. 1957. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.5042.444. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.2.5042.444
5. 5 Cat-Scratch Disease. A.M.A. Archives of Dermatology. 1959. doi: 10.1001/archderm.1959.01560180048014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.1959.01560180048014
6. 6 Cat scratch disease. Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians. 1977. doi: 10.1016/s0361-1124(77)80256-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0361-1124(77)80256-6

ICD-10

A28.1

ICD-11

1B9Y

Total cases

0

Peak month

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Coverage

0 reporting countries · —