Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease is an infectious illness caused by the bacteria bartonella.

Cat Scratch Disease

Treatments: Treatment is usually unecessary. In severe cases, antibiotics might be prescribed. Prevention: Avoiding contact with cats is an extreme way to ensure that you will not contract the disease. Thorough hand-washing after playing with a cat, avoiding scratches and bites, and avoiding cat saliva will help to prevent the disease.

Symptoms: • Bump or blister at site of injury (first sign) • Lymph node swelling near the scratch or bite • Fatigue • Overall discomfort (depression) • Headache Less common symptoms may include: • Loss of appetite / Weight loss • Enlarged spleen • Sore throat • Draining lymph nodes

Description

Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cat Scratch Disease is transmitted by cat scratches, cat bites, or exposure to cat saliva.

Bartonella: Bartonella is the pathogen that causes Cat Scratch Disease. Bartonella’s average size is 2 micrometers in length by 0.5 to 0.6 micrometers in width. There is no evidence of flagella. They are composed of octadecenoic and hexadecanoic (fatty acids). It is a gram negative bacterium.

Infected Individual

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