8 Cat Scratch Disease

Bartonella henselae (formerly Rickettsia)

What is the causative agent of Cat Scratch Disease?

Rochalimaea henselae (because formerly Rickettsia)

What was Bartonella henselae's formed name (which you might see in older literature)?

B. koehlerae

What other type of Bartonellae (besides henselae) can cause bacillary angiomatosis, peliosis hepatitis, and endocarditis typically in immunocompromised individuals?

B. quintana

Which form of Bartonellae is a non-zoonotic pathogen?

B. clarridgeiae

What other cat Bartonellae can cause Cat Scratch disease?

B. vinsonii ssp. berkhoffii

What Bartonellae exists in dogs, coyotes, and humans?

16

How many Bartonellae species are known to cause disease in humans?

Worldwide

What is the prevalence like for feline bartonellosis?

Feline Bartonellosis

There is higher prevalence of what infection with age, warm temp., humidity, feral population, cats with fleas?

22-24,000 causes per year (most cases in children). Most infection is self-limiting. Death is rare

What is morbidity and mortality of Bartonellosis like in humans?

Feral cats

Is a pet cat or feral cat more likely to carry Bartonellae?

Raccoons

What animal is infected with Bartonellae henselae at the same rate as cats?

Negative (if IgG is absent, it is much more likely the cat does not have it. Only 50% accurate for positive titer)

Does IgG titer for B. henselae have a higher positive or negative predictive value?

Flea transmission

How is Bartonellae henselae transmitted naturally among cats?

Excrement

Does transmission of Bartonellae occur from flea excrement or saliva?

Ticks

Besides fleas, what other parasite potentially has the ability to transmit Bartonellae?

NO

If fleas are no longer present in the environment, can Bartonellae transmit between cats?

NO

Does declawing a cat prevent transmission of Cat Scratch Disease?

YES = CSD transmissible with blood transfusions

Does it matter if you transmit blood from a cat with unknown Cat Scratch Disease status to a patient you're trying to treat?

NO = not passed during breeding, gestation, or lactation

Are kittens at risk in utero with a mother that has Cat Scratch Disease?

Cat scratch, bite, lick

What type of contact is typically involved between human and cat to transmit Cat Scratch Disease?

Rash at inoculation site, lymph node enlargement (2-4 weeks post infection), fever, malaise, fatigue

What are some symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease?

6-8 weeks

How long does it normally take for Cat Scratch Disease to resolve?

No, reinfection is possible

Do you get long standing immunity from Cat Scratch Disease once you get it and heal?

They are atypical manifestations of Cat Scratch Disease

How are oculoglanduar syndrome, encephalitis, endocarditis, rashes, bone/joint lesions, pneumonia and disseminated disease related to Cat Scratch Disease?

Lyme disease

What other co-infection is Cat Scratch Disease often associated with?

Supportive, antibiotics (not consistently effective), lymph node excision

What are some treatment options for Cat Scratch Disease?

Asymptomatic

How does Cat Scratch Disease USUALLY present in cats?

Lymphadenopathy, kidney/ocular disease, stomatitis, gingivitis, UTI, uveitis

What are some POSSIBLE clinical manifestations of Cat Scratch Disease in cats?

ONLY if they have clinical signs

When should you treat cats for Bartonellae?

4-8 weeks

If a cat has tested positive for Bartonellae henselae, how often should you perform follow up blood cultures?

Avoid bites/scratches, WASH WOUNDS frequently, FLEA CONTROL, clip nails, keep cats indoors

How can you prevent Cat Scratch Disease to humans?

Avoid exposure to infected animals and their fleas, avoid transfusions using donor blood of unknown CSD status

How can you prevent Cat Scratch Disease between animals?

Nonexistent lol

What is the vaccine like for Cat Scratch Disease?