Article Sections

Introduction

Bartonella henselae is a gram-negative bacterium that is most commonly transmitted by a cat scratch.  Cat scratch disease typically presents with chronic, tender, regional lymphadenopathy proximal to the inoculation site; visceral granulomas (eg, on the liver or spleen) can occur.  In immunocompromised individuals, B henselae can cause bacillary angiomatosis, a vascular-proliferative disease.

Pathogenesis

Bartonella henselae is a fastidious, gram-negative bacillus or coccobacillus found in cat saliva and is usually transmitted to humans through skin penetration via a cat scratch or bite ( Figure 1); it can also be transmitted by direct contact with cat saliva via mucosal surfaces (eg, mouth, eyes) or, rarely, by a bite from an infected flea.  Cat-to-cat transmission commonly occurs through fleas; person-to-person transmission does not occur.

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