Cat scratch fever overview: Difference between revisions
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==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
===Symptoms=== | |||
Cat scratch fever is a usually benign [[infectious disease]] caused by the intracellular parasite [[Bartonella]]. It is most commonly found in children 1-2 weeks following a cat scratch. | |||
===Laboratory Findings=== | ===Laboratory Findings=== | ||
A simple blood test can test for the presence of antibodies for [[Bartonella]]. It can be quite common for someone to have Lyme disease, [[Babesia]] and Bartonella from a single tick bite. | A simple blood test can test for the presence of antibodies for [[Bartonella]]. It can be quite common for someone to have Lyme disease, [[Babesia]] and Bartonella from a single tick bite. | ||
Revision as of 20:00, 5 December 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Cat scratch fever is a usually benign infectious disease caused by the intracellular parasite Bartonella. It is most commonly found in children 1-2 weeks following a cat scratch.
Historical Perspective
It was first described in 1889 by Henri Parinaud. The cat was recognized as the vector of the disease in 1931 by Dr. Robert Debré.
Pathophysiology
The causative organism was first thought to be Afipia felis, but this was disproved by immunological studies demonstrating that cat scratch fever patients developed antibodies to two other organisms, Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae, which are rod-shaped Gram negative bacteria.
Kittens are more likely to carry the bacteria in their blood, and are therefore more likely to transmit the disease than are adult cats.
Ticks are also a major transmitter of this disease. It is often transmitted at the same time a human may get Lyme disease. It is often missed when people are tested and diagnosed for Lyme disease as the symptoms can be similar, such as fatigue, and headaches.
Risk factors
People having cats as pet at are higher risk of getting the disease.
Diagnosis
Symptoms
Cat scratch fever is a usually benign infectious disease caused by the intracellular parasite Bartonella. It is most commonly found in children 1-2 weeks following a cat scratch.
Laboratory Findings
A simple blood test can test for the presence of antibodies for Bartonella. It can be quite common for someone to have Lyme disease, Babesia and Bartonella from a single tick bite.