Cat Scratch Disease in Children

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide information on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatments of Bartonella henselae infection in children. Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a zoonosis caused by Bartonela henselae. Cat fleas are responsible for spreading the bacterium among cats. Bacteria can be transmitted to humans from the site of a cat bite or scratch. The typical manifestation of CSD is regional lymphadenopathy with a pustule at the site of inoculation, usually self-limiting. Atypical CSD has a wide range of clinical manifestations (hepatosplenic disease, pulmonary infiltrates, encephalitis, skin or bone involvement, endocarditis), some of which are life-threatening. Atypical presentations mainly occur in immunocompromised children, but have also been described in immunocompetent children.

Conclusion − In recent years the number of households with a pet is growing and the number of children visiting a pediatrician with CSD is growing.