Cat Scratch Disease

VMRD | Jan. 1996

Bartonella henselae has recently been identified as a major cause of cat scratch disease in humans.^1-3 Seropositivity of affected humans to Bartonella spp. Has been significantly associated with cat contact.¹ Both kittens and adult cats carry IFA antibodies, although it appears that kittens are most often bacteremic.^3-5 There is at least one report of canineBartonella spp. Infection causing vegetative valvular endocarditis. This dog had a high titer to Bartonella henselae by IFA.⁶

1.     Dalton, M. J., et al. Arch. Intern. Med. 155(15):1670-1676, 1995.

2.     Bergmans, A. M., et al., J. Infect. Dis. 171(4):916-923, 1995.

3.     Demers, D. M., et al., J. Pediatr. 127(1):23-26, 1995.

4.     Ueno, H., et al., Microbiol. Immunol 39(5):339-341, 1995.

5.     Jameson, P., et al., J. Infect. Dis. 172(4):1145-1149, 1995.

6.     Breitschwerdt, E.B., et.al., J. Clin. Micro. 33(1):154-160, 1995.