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- This is a specific type of
infection that occurs from the scratch of a cat. It is
caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae.
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- Occurs 2 days after scratch (present in 1/3 of
patients):
- Infected scabbed ulcer
- Blister
- Blister with pus
- Occurs 1-3 weeks after scratch:
- Fever
- Lack of energy
- Headache
- Swollen lymph glands
- Lymph glands may swell, become tender, or exude
pus
- Rash
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- Scratch or injury by a
cat
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- Elevated white blood cell count
- Elevated sedimentation rate
- Biopsy of lymph nodes, if necessary, to rule out other
causes
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- None required for typical
Cat-scratch disease (resolves on its own in 1-2 weeks)
- Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, or
Erythromycin for bacillary angiomatosis (see above)
- Aminoglycosides for Encephalitis (brain
infection)
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- Encephalitis
(infection spreads to brain)
- HIV Infection may
cause the infection to spread all over the body (called
bacillary
angiomatosis)
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