Cat Scratch Disease

Alternative names:

cat scratch fever; CSD

Symptoms:

• a history of contact with a cat (or dog on rare occasion) with a scratch or injury.

Common

• papule or pustule at site of injury (inoculation), usually the first sign
• swelling of the lymphnodes (adenopathy) occurs in the area near where the skin was infected (bitten, scratched, etc.)
• Fever in approximately one third of patients
• fatigue
• malaise
• headache

Less Common

• anorexia
• Weight loss
• Splenomegaly
• Sore throat
• Draining lymph nodes

Signs and tests:

A scratch or injury and a history of contact with a cat (or dog on rare occasion) indicates that cat scratch disease is the likely cause of the lymph node swelling. In some cases, physical examination also shows an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).

Tests used in the diagnosis of cat scratch disease:

• B. henselae IFA test (uses fluid or tissue from a lymph node)
• a lymph node biopsy to rule out other causes of swollen glands
• a positive CSD skin test