BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCat-scratch diseaseCSD; Cat-scratch fever; BartonellosisCat-scratch disease is an infection with bartonella bacteria. It is transmitted by cat scratches, cat bites, or flea bites. Causes Cat-scratch disease is caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. The disease is spread through contact with an infected cat (a bite or scratch) or exposure to cat fleas. It also can be spread through contact with cat saliva on broken skin or mucosal surfaces like those in the nose, mouth, and eyes. Symptoms A person who has had contact with an infected cat may show symptoms, including:Bump (papule) or blister (pustule) at site of injury (usually the first sign) PapuleA papule is a solid or cystic raised spot on the skin that is less than 1 centimeter (cm) wide. It is a type of skin lesion.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PustulePustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like sores (lesions) on the skin surface.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue Fever (in some people) Headache Lymph node swelling (lymphadenopathy) near the site of the scratch or bite LymphadenopathyLymphofollicular hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells found in lymph node. These follicles contain normal white blood cells called lymp...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Overall discomfort (malaise) MalaiseMalaise is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Less common symptoms may include:Loss of appetite Loss of appetiteA decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sore throat Weight loss Exams and Tests If you have swollen lymph nodes and a scratch or bite from a cat, your health care provider may suspect cat-scratch disease.A physical exam may also reveal an enlarged spleen.Enlarged spleenSplenomegaly is a larger-than-normal spleen. The spleen is an organ in the upper left part of the belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sometimes, an infected lymph node may form a tunnel (fistula) through the skin and drain (leak fluid).FistulaA fistula is an abnormal connection between two body parts, such as an organ or blood vessel and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This disease is hard to diagnose, in part because it is rare. The Bartonella henselae immunofluorescence assay (IFA) blood test can detect the infection caused by these bacteria. The results of this test will be considered along with other information from your medical history, lab tests, or biopsy.A lymph node biopsy may also be done to look for other causes of swollen glands.Lymph node biopsyA lymph node biopsy is the removal of lymph node tissue for examination under a microscope. The lymph nodes are small glands that make white blood ce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Most often, cat-scratch disease is not serious. Medical treatment may not be needed. In some cases, treatment with antibiotics such as azithromycin can be helpful. Other antibiotics may be used, including: Clarithromycin Rifampin Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole CiprofloxacinIn people with HIV/AIDS and others, who have a weak immune system, cat-scratch disease can be more serious. Treatment with antibiotics may be needed.HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) People who have a healthy immune system should recover fully without treatment. People with a weak immune system need antibiotic treatment to recover. Possible Complications People with weak immune systems may develop complications such as:Encephalopathy (loss of brain function) Neuroretinitis (inflammation of the retina and optic nerve of the eye) NeuroretinitisNeuroretinitis is inflammation of the retina and optic nerve of the eye. The condition can be caused by bacteria, viruses or autoimmune disease. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Osteomyelitis (bone infection) OsteomyelitisOsteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is caused by bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Parinaud syndrome (red, irritated, and painful eye) Parinaud syndromeParinaud oculoglandular syndrome is an eye problem that is similar to conjunctivitis ("pink eye"). It most often affects only one eye. It occurs wi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have enlarged lymph nodes and you have been exposed to a cat. Prevention To prevent cat-scratch disease:Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after playing with your cat. Wash any bites or scratches thoroughly. Play gently with cats so they don't scratch and bite. Don't allow a cat to lick your skin, eyes, mouth, or open wounds or scratches. Use flea control measures to lower the risk your cat develops the disease. Don't handle feral cats. Open ReferencesReferencesRolain JM, Raoult D. Bartonella infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 291.Rose SR, Koehler JE. Bartonella, including cat-scratch disease. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 234.AllVideoImagesTogCat scratch disease - illustration Cat scratch disease is an infectious illness associated with cat scratches, bites, or exposure to cat saliva, causing chronic swelling of the lymph nodes. Cat scratch disease is possibly the most common cause of chronic lymph node swelling in children.Cat scratch diseaseillustrationAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationCat scratch disease - illustration Cat scratch disease is an infectious illness associated with cat scratches, bites, or exposure to cat saliva, causing chronic swelling of the lymph nodes. Cat scratch disease is possibly the most common cause of chronic lymph node swelling in children.Cat scratch diseaseillustrationAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationRelated Information Lymphofollicular hyperplasia(Condition)Conjunctiva(Special Topic)Swollen lymph nodes(Symptoms)Fistula(Special Topic)Chronic(Special Topic)Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome(Condition)Neuroretinitis(Special Topic)Osteomyelitis(Condition) Review Date: 8/26/2023 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Cat-scratch diseaseCSD; Cat-scratch fever; BartonellosisCat-scratch disease is an infection with bartonella bacteria. It is transmitted by cat scratches, cat bites, or flea bites. Causes Cat-scratch disease is caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. The disease is spread through contact with an infected cat (a bite or scratch) or exposure to cat fleas. It also can be spread through contact with cat saliva on broken skin or mucosal surfaces like those in the nose, mouth, and eyes. Symptoms A person who has had contact with an infected cat may show symptoms, including:Bump (papule) or blister (pustule) at site of injury (usually the first sign) PapuleA papule is a solid or cystic raised spot on the skin that is less than 1 centimeter (cm) wide. It is a type of skin lesion.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PustulePustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like sores (lesions) on the skin surface.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue Fever (in some people) Headache Lymph node swelling (lymphadenopathy) near the site of the scratch or bite LymphadenopathyLymphofollicular hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells found in lymph node. These follicles contain normal white blood cells called lymp...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Overall discomfort (malaise) MalaiseMalaise is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Less common symptoms may include:Loss of appetite Loss of appetiteA decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sore throat Weight loss Exams and Tests If you have swollen lymph nodes and a scratch or bite from a cat, your health care provider may suspect cat-scratch disease.A physical exam may also reveal an enlarged spleen.Enlarged spleenSplenomegaly is a larger-than-normal spleen. The spleen is an organ in the upper left part of the belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sometimes, an infected lymph node may form a tunnel (fistula) through the skin and drain (leak fluid).FistulaA fistula is an abnormal connection between two body parts, such as an organ or blood vessel and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This disease is hard to diagnose, in part because it is rare. The Bartonella henselae immunofluorescence assay (IFA) blood test can detect the infection caused by these bacteria. The results of this test will be considered along with other information from your medical history, lab tests, or biopsy.A lymph node biopsy may also be done to look for other causes of swollen glands.Lymph node biopsyA lymph node biopsy is the removal of lymph node tissue for examination under a microscope. The lymph nodes are small glands that make white blood ce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Most often, cat-scratch disease is not serious. Medical treatment may not be needed. In some cases, treatment with antibiotics such as azithromycin can be helpful. Other antibiotics may be used, including: Clarithromycin Rifampin Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole CiprofloxacinIn people with HIV/AIDS and others, who have a weak immune system, cat-scratch disease can be more serious. Treatment with antibiotics may be needed.HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) People who have a healthy immune system should recover fully without treatment. People with a weak immune system need antibiotic treatment to recover. Possible Complications People with weak immune systems may develop complications such as:Encephalopathy (loss of brain function) Neuroretinitis (inflammation of the retina and optic nerve of the eye) NeuroretinitisNeuroretinitis is inflammation of the retina and optic nerve of the eye. The condition can be caused by bacteria, viruses or autoimmune disease. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Osteomyelitis (bone infection) OsteomyelitisOsteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is caused by bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Parinaud syndrome (red, irritated, and painful eye) Parinaud syndromeParinaud oculoglandular syndrome is an eye problem that is similar to conjunctivitis ("pink eye"). It most often affects only one eye. It occurs wi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have enlarged lymph nodes and you have been exposed to a cat. Prevention To prevent cat-scratch disease:Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after playing with your cat. Wash any bites or scratches thoroughly. Play gently with cats so they don't scratch and bite. Don't allow a cat to lick your skin, eyes, mouth, or open wounds or scratches. Use flea control measures to lower the risk your cat develops the disease. Don't handle feral cats. Open ReferencesReferencesRolain JM, Raoult D. Bartonella infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 291.Rose SR, Koehler JE. Bartonella, including cat-scratch disease. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 234.