Related articles: Cat scratch disease
Definition
Cat scratch disease is a bartonellosis, which is an infection with Bartonella henselae . The infection takes place through traumatic injuries caused by domestic or stray cats (scratch or bite), which represent the reservoir of these bacteria. The flea can be a further vector of contagion, as well as transmitting the microorganism even among cats.
Cat scratch disease is more common among children.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- strangles
- Anorexia
- Asthenia
- Conjunctivitis
- Convulsions
- Temporal and spatial disorientation
- Abdominal pain
- Neck pain
- Bone pain
- Ocular pain
- Articolar pains
- Muscle pains
- Eosinophilia
- Temperature
- Parotid enlargement
- Tearing
- lymphadenitis
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Headache
- Meningitis
- Nausea
- Eyes reddened
- papules
- Weight loss
- Pustules
- splenomegaly
- He retched
Further indications
At the site of the cat's scratch or bite, after 3-10 days, a circular erythematous papule develops, which develops into a crust (rarely, a pustule forms). Within 2 weeks, a regional lymphadenopathy appears, proximal to the inoculation site (preferential sites are armpit and neck). Fever, feeling sick, headache, fatigue, arthralgia and muscle pain can accompany the swollen lymph nodes. Lack of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen) are less common. Rarely, the disease can become complicated in ocina-ocular syndrome of Perinaud (conjunctivitis with enlarged lymph nodes located in front of the ear), hepatosplenic granulomatosis (characterized by focal lesions at liver and / or spleen level) or with neurological manifestations (encephalitis, neuroretinitis, convulsions etc.). Furthermore, it may develop into bacteremia with endocarditis, osteomyelitis and lung disease. As a rule, if these complications do not occur, the cat scratch disease is benign and resolves spontaneously within 2-5 months.
The diagnosis is confirmed by the positive antibody titer in serological tests and by lymph node biopsy.
The treatment is symptomatic and consists of the application of hot compresses and the use of analgesics. Antibiotic therapy (eg azithromycin) is reserved for the most severe forms with systemic involvement or immunocompromised patients.
