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Cat scratch disease and acute rejection after pediatric renal transplantation.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) can lead to unexplained fever, generalized lymphadenopathy and organomegaly in immunocompetent individuals. CSD has rarely been reported in immunocompromised transplant recipients, where its clinical features would mimic the more common post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). We report three cases of CSD seen recently in children who had received prior kidney transplants. The three children were between 7 and 9 yr old, and had received kidney transplants 2-4 yr prior, with stable renal function. In each case, there was unexplained fever with either lymphadenopathy or organomegaly. The diagnosis of CSD was suggested by a history of new cats being introduced into each household and confirmed in all cases by the serological presence of a significant titer (> 1 : 64) of IgM antibodies to Bartonella henselae. Tests for other bacterial infections, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus infections were negative. All the patients showed a clinical improvement with anti-microbial therapy. In patients A and B, the CSD was associated with an acute rejection episode shortly after diagnosis. The rejection episodes were reversed by intravenous steroid pulse therapy. Only four cases of CSD have been previously reported following solid organ transplantation. Acute rejection following CSD has not been previously reported. CSD should be included in the differential diagnosis of fever in the post-transplant setting, especially where PTLD is suspected.

Animals↗

Cat-scratch disease with encephalopathy.

A case of encephalopathy complicating cat-scratch disease has been described. Neurologic signs manifested by convulstions and stupor appeared ten days after epitrochlear lymphadenopathy. The clinical course gradually improved over the next few days and recovery was complete. The spinal fluid was normal. The skin test with CSD antigen was positive. In all cases of encephalopathy developing within six weeks following the appearance of unexplained lymphadenopathy, the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease should be entertained. The importance of the cat-scratch disease antigen in diagnosis is emphasized.

Cat-Scratch Disease↗

Cat-scratch disease. Bacteria in skin at the primary inoculation site.

Cat-scratch disease is a zoonotic infection characterized by a skin papule at the site of the scratch followed by regional lymphadenitis. Recently, small gram-negative pleomorphic bacilli were demonstrated in sections of lymph node from patients with the disease. We now report identical bacteria in the primary inoculation site of three patients with cat-scratch disease. Lymph nodes from two of these patients also contained the same bacilli. Identical bacteria in both skin and lymph nodes from these patients are further evidence that the bacilli are the cause of cat-scratch disease. In early infections, biopsy of the primary site of inoculation and demonstration of bacilli may replace excision and histologic examination of lymph node in establishing the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease.

Adolescent↗

[Hepatic and splenic micro-abscess in cat scratch disease. Report of a case].

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is an infection caused by a gram-negative bacillus known as Bartonella Henselae. Hepatosplenic disease occurs in only 0.3-0.7% of patients. In this report we describe a 7-year-old male presented with a 4-week history of fever, after diagnosis of CSD with regional lymphoadenitis. Ultrasonography and tomography identified hepatic and splenic abscesses. Antibiotic treatment for three months was associated with resolution of lesions. In Patients affected by CSD, ultrasonography and tomography permit to identify hepatic and/or splenic lesions, indicating systemic CSD.

Abscess↗

Encephalitis in cat scratch disease with persistent dementia.

Encephalitis in cat scratch disease is uncommon and usually reversible. The patient with cognitive impairment and severe memory disorder did not improve after a 30 month follow up. MRI revealed disseminated lesions in the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

A prospective study of Cat-Scratch Disease in Lima-Peru.

Cat-Scratch Disease (CSD) is a benign lymphadenitis that may progress to severe or recurrent forms, and it is occasionally associated with morbidity. Between January of 1998 and March of 1999, forty-three suspected CSD patients were assessed in the Hospital Cayetano Heredia and the Instituto de Salud del Niño, in Lima, Peru. Twelve patients had a confirmed diagnosis, 8 of whom were women, and the mean age was 10 years old. The majority (53%) of the cases were encountered in the summer. All patients reported having had contact with cats. Fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy and skin lesions were the most frequent clinical features. Twelve patients had indirect immunofluorescence antibody test titers of between 1/50 and 1/800 for Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae. Two lymph node biopsies were histologically compatible with CSD. No positive blood cultures could be obtained. This is the first Peruvian prospective study able to identify B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae in pediatric patients.

Adolescent↗

[Optic neuritis in cat scratch disease].

Ocular and neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of cat scratch disease are not uncommon. The association of anterior optic neuritis with retinal lesions suggests neuroretinitis, which is highly suggestive of cat scratch disease. A new case is described.

Adolescent↗

Portal vein and bone involvement in disseminated cat-scratch disease: report of 2 cases.

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a common cause of regional lymphadenopathy. We describe 2 children with an unusual presentation of disseminated CSD, the first one presenting with persistent fever, multilocular abscesses in liver and spleen as well as osteolytic lesions in the lumbar spine and the second one with portal vein thrombosis and severe ascites.

Bone and Bones↗

[A little known cause of persistent fever and granulomatous hepatitis in children: cat scratch disease].

BACKGROUND: Extensive hepatic and splenic involvement in cat-scratch disease has rarely been reported. CASE REPORT: A 2 1/2 year-old boy suffered for 2 weeks from high-grade fever, abdominal pain and alteration of his general condition. Ultrasonography revealed multiple hypoechogenic nodules in liver and spleen. The CT scan also showed hypodense lesions. An open liver biopsy was performed 5 weeks after the onset of illness. Histopathology of a resected nodule demonstrated neutrophilic granulomatous inflammation with central abscess formation. Recent cat exposure, suppurated epitrochlear lymph node 15 days before admission were also consistent with cat-scratch disease which was confirmed by elevated anti-Rochalimaea antibody titers. Follow-up showed complete resolution of all hepatic and splenic lesions within 6 months and emergence of splenic calcifications. CONCLUSION: Cat-scratch disease should be considered in the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin and hepatosplenic abscesses in children.

Cat-Scratch Disease↗

Ultrastructural observations in cat scratch disease.

Because the causative bacterium of cat scratch disease has not been definitively cultured or fully characterized, the authors have studied its ultrastructure in lymph node biopsies from two patients using glutaraldehyde-fixed tissue. In both specimens, the organisms were invariably extracellular, forming small groups within bundles of collagen fibrils. Their appearance was similar in necrotic and viable regions of the nodes, although in the latter sites they could not be identified by light microscopic examination with the Warthin-Starry stain. The bacteria were pleomorphic rods, and, despite faint gram-negative staining, their walls were consistently thick and homogeneous.

Adolescent↗

Cat-scratch disease causing status epilepticus in children.

Status epilepticus from cat-scratch encephalopathy is often recalcitrant to usual therapies, causing treatment to focus on critical care management of the patient that may require aggressive interventions, such as continuous pentobarbital administration. We describe two children whose initial clinical presentation of cat-scratch disease was status epilepticus with normal cerebrospinal fluid studies. A history of cat exposure (specifically, kitten and/or fleas), regional lymphadenopathy, and a papule or inoculation site should be sought, but are not essential for diagnosis. The presumptive diagnosis of cat-scratch disease can be made by serology alone even in the absence of classic diagnostic criteria. Our two cases and other reports in the literature show a favorable prognosis in most cases, despite the occurrence of status epilepticus. The diagnosis of cat-scratch disease should be strongly considered in all children with unexplained status epilepticus or encephalopathy and serologic testing for Bartonella henselae should be done.

Cat-Scratch Disease↗

Cat-scratch disease in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is mostly contracted by children and young adults. To our knowledge, CSD in elderly patients has never been characterized, and it may be underrecognized in this age group. METHODS: The study population included all patients with CSD diagnosed at our reference laboratory during 1991-2002. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data for patients with CSD aged >or=60 years (elderly group) were compared with data for patients with CSD aged <60 years (nonelderly group). RESULTS: There were 846 immunocompetent patients with CSD included in this study. Fifty-two patients (6%) were >or=60 years old. Lymphadenopathy was less common in elderly patients than in nonelderly patients (76.5% vs. 94.4%; P<.001), and general malaise was more frequent in elderly patients (70.8% vs. 51.4%; P=.009). Atypical CSD was more common in elderly patients than in nonelderly patients (32.7% vs. 13.6%), including endocarditis (odds ratio [OR], 61.6; P<.001), encephalitis (OR, 6.3; P=.013), and fever of unknown origin (OR, 7.3; P<.001). The time period from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was >6 weeks for 29.5% of elderly patients versus 13.3% of nonelderly patients (P=.003). CONCLUSIONS: CSD affects elderly persons as well as nonelderly persons, but clinical features differ between the patient groups. Atypical CSD, including endocarditis, is more frequent in elderly than in nonelderly patients. Conversely, lymphadenitis, the hallmark of typical CSD, is often absent in elderly patients. Lack of awareness among clinicians may delay the diagnosis of CSD in elderly persons and result in unnecessary and often invasive diagnostic procedures.

Adolescent↗

Rapid polymerase chain reaction-based confirmation of cat scratch disease and Bartonella henselae infection.

CONTEXT: Cat scratch disease (CSD) commonly occurs secondary to Bartonella henselae infection, and the diagnosis has traditionally been made by microscopic findings, the identification of organisms by cytochemistry, and clinical history. However, cytochemical analysis tends to be very difficult to interpret, and histology alone may be insufficient to establish a definitive diagnosis of CSD. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the presence of B henselae in tissue suspected of involvement by CSD, using a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. DESIGN: Isolates of B henselae (American Tissue Culture Collection 49793) and Afipia felis (American Tissue Culture Collection 49714) were cultured on blood agar and buffered charcoal yeast extract agar, respectively. DNA was isolated from these organisms and from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections with involvement by CSD (8 patients). Negative controls included water, human placental tissue, and lymph node specimens from 6 patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and from 2 patients with granulomatous lymphadenitis. A primer complementary to B henselae citrate synthase gltA gene sequence was designed to perform a seminested PCR amplification. For restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, PCR products were digested by TaqI restriction enzyme and analyzed by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Seminested PCR analysis of the cultured isolates of B henselae, but not of A felis, showed specific amplification. However, nonnested PCR did not provide consistently positive results in tissue sections with CSD. Therefore, we used a seminested PCR, which revealed positivity in all of the cases with clinicopathologic diagnoses of CSD. None of the negative controls showed positivity. Restriction enzyme provided confirmation of the specific PCR amplification of the B henselae sequence. CONCLUSIONS: Since the amplification product has a low molecular size (<200 base pairs), this assay is useful for detection of B henselae in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. The seminested PCR protocol described here can be used for rapid and reliable confirmation of B henselae in samples that are histologically suggestive of CSD.

Adolescent↗

[Cat-scratch disease. Review of eight adult patients hospitalized for fever or adenopathy].

BACKGROUND: Cat-scratch disease is common among children. Among adults the disease is less often considered in the differential diagnosis of enlarged lymph nodes and fever. AIM: To report the clinical and laboratory features of eight patients with cat-scratch disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of the medical records of eight patients (aged 22 to 57 years, six males) with a serological diagnosis of cat-scratch disease (an IgG titer over 1:256, by immunofluorescence). RESULTS: Only five patients recalled having had contact with cats. Seven had fever and weight loss. Six had excessive sweating and five had chills. Seven had painfully enlarged lymph nodes mainly in submandibular and axillary regions. All had an increased C reactive protein and six had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Five had leukocytosis and four an elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase. The disease subsided in all, even in one patient that did not receive antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS: Cat-scratch disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with lymph adenitis and fever.

Adult↗

[Cat-scratch disease--an overlooked disease in Denmark?].

Only one patient with cat-scratch disease (CSD) has been reported in Denmark. A case and retrospective investigation among patients admitted to the ward is presented. Over a period of 3.5 years, six patients were found to have suffered from CSD. The yearly incidence was calculated to 2.6/100,000. The patients were tested for antibodies against Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae with a new test developed at the Danish Serum Institute. Only two of the patients with CSD had titres of antibodies higher than 400 (positive). Tested again with an improved test five of the six patients were found to have antibodies against B. henselae. It is assumed that CSD is found with the same incidence as the USA and Holland. It is recommended that examination for chronic lymphadenopathy includes questions about cat contact and testing for antibodies against Bartonella henselae.

Animals↗

[Cat-scratch disease].

We report a case of fourteen years old boy with cat scratch disease. He was treated at Pediatric Clinic in January and February 2000. Cat scratch disease is benign infectious chronic disease which appears in all ages. It begins after contact with cat and its scratch. Yearly incidence of this disease for whole population is 0.77-0.86/100.000. The cause is bacillus Bartonella which is also called genus Rochalimaea. It is Gram negative, mobile, aerobe bacillus with ten flagellas on one pole. Our patient was admitted at hospital because of high temperature, paleness, fatigue, bad appetite and pains in his joint. Ultrasound and magnet resonance scans of liver and spleen showed enlarged but regulary contured liver and two focal changes with diameter 16 mm, 12 mm and 7 mm in spleen. All those focal changes were described as abscesses. Diagnose was set up according increasing titre of IF-Bartonella hensalae IgG 1:256 (positive). This diagnostic test was performed at Institute for microbiology and Immunology at Medical Faculty in Ljubljana. Disease had long lasting course, and was cured by antibiotics without surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗

[Cat scratch disease caused by Bartonella henselae].

Bartonella henselae is an etiologic agent of cat-scratch disease and, in immunocompromised patients, of bacillary angiomatosis and other severe syndromes. Cat-scratch disease usually presents as lymphadenopathy, which resolves spontaneously within 2-4 months. The utility of antibiotic therapy remains controversial. In Tyrol four cases of human cat-scratch disease were diagnosed in children in 1994, yielding a prevalence of 0.7/100,000 per year. A 3-year-old boy had lymphadenitis coli since one year despite antituberculosis therapy which was initiated because of the histopathological picture and a positive tuberculin reaction (despite negative mycobacteria-cultures and -PCR). Two girls, age 9 and 13 years, had lymphadenitis at upper or lower extremities after cat-scratches from kittens. A 13-year-old boy presented with febrile illness and right hip pain, computer tomography revealed an osteolytic lesion; symptoms subsided within 3 weeks. Diagnosis of cat-scratch disease is based on cat contact, negative studies for other similar diseases, characteristic histopathologic features (if available), and results of an indirect immunofluorescence test (antigen: Houston-1 isolate, ATCC 49882). We believe that the availability of this serological test will increase the number of diagnosed cases of human Bartonella henselae infections.

Adolescent↗

Use of Bartonella antigens for serologic diagnosis of cat-scratch disease at a national referral center.

BACKGROUND: Bartonella henselae (formerly the genus Rochalimaea) has recently been isolated from patients with cat-scratch disease and their cats, and since September 1992 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has offered an indirect fluorescent antibody assay for Bartonella-specific antibody. METHODS: Physicians submitted serum samples from patients suspected of having cat-scratch disease or other Bartonella-associated illness and completed a questionnaire that recorded clinical information. Indirect fluorescent antibody assay was performed with the use of antigen derived from three Bartonella species: B henselae, Bartonella quintana, and Bartonella elizabethae. RESULTS: During 16 months, 3088 serum samples were received. The largest numbers of specimens and the highest percentages positive (titer, > or = 64) were observed in the fall and winter. Clinical histories of the first 600 patients for whom serum samples and completed information forms were received were examined in detail; seropositivity was significantly associated with cat contact, cat age of less than 1 year, cat scratch, presence of an inoculation papule, and regional adenopathy. Of 91 patients whose illness met a strict clinical definition of cat-scratch disease, 86 (95%) had titers of 64 or greater to either B henselae or B quintana. A fourfold rise or fall in titer was observed in 87 of 132 patients with paired serum samples. CONCLUSIONS: The indirect fluorescent antibody assay for Bartonella-specific antibody is sensitive for the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease. Redefinition of cat-scratch disease on the basis of cause and use of this assay as a diagnostic criterion is recommended.

Adolescent↗