Cat scratch disease

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Antibodies

Cat scratch disease

CSD; Cat scratch fever; Bartonellosis

A person who has had contact with a cat may show common symptoms, including:

• Bump (papule) or blister (pustule) at site of injury, usually the first sign
• Swelling of the lymph nodes near where the skin was bitten or scratched
• Fever (in approximately one third of patients)
• Fatigue
• Overall discomfort (malaise)
• Headache

Less common symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Enlarged spleen
• Sore throat
• Draining lymph nodes

A scratch or injury and a history of contact with a cat indicates that cat scratch disease is the likely cause of the lymph node swelling. In some cases, physical examination also shows an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).

Tests used in the diagnosis of cat scratch disease:

• Positive bartonella blood tests
• Bartonella henselae IFA test (uses fluid or tissue from a lymph node)
• A lymph node biopsy to rule out other causes of swollen glands
• A positive CSD skin test

Review Date: 11/02/2005
Reviewed By: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.