Cat scratch disease is a pathology most often mild, but it can affect anyone bitten or scratched by a contaminated tomcat. The bacteria responsible for bartonellosis is Bartonella Henselae, which spreads through the body through the bloodstream. Symptoms of the disease may go unnoticed, but they can be severe in a frail person. Find out what this disease is, what are its symptoms, what are the possible treatments and finally the prevention methods to apply to avoid it.
Cat scratch disease or bartonellosis: what is it? What is the cause ?
Cat scratch disease is the common name for bartonellosis, a condition known as zoonosis (a disease that is spread from animals to humans) and transmitted by the bacteria Bartonella Henselae. The cat is considered to be a reservoir of this bacteria and it can be transmitted when the animal bites or scratches humans, or when the latter's hands are contaminated by the bacteria and rubs their eyes. Dogs can also carry and transmit the bacteria, but this is much less common.
Bartonella Henselae can infect humans, as well as other mammals and animal species worldwide. Children under the age of 15 are the most sensitive, as are people with immunodeficiency. It spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream. It is an optional intracellular Gram negative bacteria.
If the origin of the bacteria remains unclear, some researchers assume that it would be transmitted to cats by ticks or fleas.
What are the symptoms of cat scratch disease?
The onset of symptoms is not immediate. It takes between one and two weeks after a bite or scratch to notice the first symptoms, which corresponds to the incubation time.
The appearance of these is done in stages.
Within one to three weeks, the infected person has lymph nodes. If the person is hit in the arm or hand, the nodes are formed under the armpit. If the person is affected in the leg or foot, the nodes appear in the groin. On the other hand, if the person is reached in the face, the glands form in the neck or behind the ears. These nodes can very well persist for several months.
The infected person most often develops a fever, more or less strong.
The area affected by the scratch or bite is inflamed. It turns red and a skin lesion is formed. It often resembles a sort of purulent pustule which is then covered with a crust.
Other symptoms are possible, such as feeling tired, headache, sore throat, loss of appetite or some joint pain.
Most of the time, the disease is mild and easy to treat, without sequelae. However, in the most fragile subjects, it can happen that the infected person develops muscle pain, eye disorders (conjunctivitis type) or neurological disorders. Some people with fragile health may develop cardiac (endocarditis), respiratory (pneumonia) or liver (cysts in the liver) complications. These infectious complications occur only in 5 to 10% of cases.
4 to 6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants are counted each year in France. Cat scratch disease remains rare, but it exists! We must therefore be vigilant.
Diagnosis of cat scratch disease
When the disease is suspected, the diagnosis can only be confirmed by positive serology or by PCR tests. If the diagnosis remains uncertain - especially since other infections have similar characteristics - a research examination of microorganisms is carried out.
How to treat bartonellosis?
Anyone bitten or scratched by a cat or a dog must immediately disinfect the wound and treat it in accordance with hygiene rules.
Most infected patients recover on their own and spontaneously, without taking any treatment. Some, however, require painkillers and local application of heat. If a lymph node is painful, needle aspiration can be used to relieve the patient.
Can you prevent cat scratch disease?
It is possible to prevent cat scratch disease by several devices.
It is important to deworm your pet regularly (2 to 4 times a year) and to administer an antiparasitic (flea and anti-tick) every 4 weeks.
Check his coat regularly for fleas and ticks. If you find them, remove the ticks with a tick before disinfecting the wound well and remove the fleas with a pest control.
A contaminated cat should be treated to remove the bacteria from its body.
Be careful when playing with your pet and avoid any bite and scratching.
If a bite or scratch occurs, immediately disinfect the wound.
Avoid approaching unknown cats. If you have to, wash your hands well after contact and avoid touching your face or eyes before washing. If the cat bites or scratches you, immediately disinfect the wound and monitor your condition in the following weeks.
What are the risk factors?
The risk factors for the development of bartonellosis are essentially preventive in nature.
Missing or insufficient treatment for fleas and ticks is an additional risk factor.
Misuse of a wound from a bite or scratch is an additional risk factor.
Regular contact with cats and dogs (veterinarians, veterinary assistants, breeders, sellers, etc.) is an additional risk factor.
Poor behavior and / or treatment towards your animal increases the risk of scratching and biting, and therefore presents an additional risk factor.