cat scratch disease

Pathogen Structure

Cat Scratch Disease

Lymph nodes, especially those around the head, neck, and upper limbs, become swollen.

Transmission

Pathogen Description

Treatment

Prevention

Symptoms

Bartonella Bacteria

Cat scratch disease (CSD) also known as cat-scratch fever, is an infectious disease caused by the intracellular bacterium, Bartonella. The disease is spread through contact with an infected cat (a bite or scratch), or contact with cat saliva on broken skin or the white of the eye.

Generally, cat scratch disease is not serious. Medical treatment is not usually needed. However, in severe cases, treatment with antibiotics can be helpful. In AIDS patients and in other people who have suppressed immune systems, cat scratch disease is more serious, and treatment with antibiotics is recommended.

Cat scratch fever patients developed antibodies to two other organisms, Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae, which are rod-shaped Gram negative bacteria.

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) -Fatigue -Fever (in some patients) -Headache -Lymph node swelling near the scratch or bite -Overall discomfort (malaise) Less common symptoms may include: -Draining lymph nodes' -Enlarged spleen -Loss of appetite -Sore throat -Weight loss

Avoiding contact with cats prevents the disease. Where this is not reasonable, good hand-washing after playing with a cat, avoiding scratches and bites, and avoiding cat saliva will lessen the risk of infection.

It is believed to be transmitted by cat scratches, bites, or exposure to cat saliva.