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PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of stocking density, breed, and feathering on the prevalence of abdominal skin scratches in broiler chickens.

Associations between abdominal skin scratches and stocking density, strain of birds, and degree of feathering were investigated in a clinical trial. Four hundred eighty 1-day-old male broiler chicks from two different strains (A and B) were assigned to four groups: 1) high density (0.07 m2/bird) and strain A, 2) high density and strain B, 3) normal density (0.14 m2/bird) and strain A, and 4) normal density and strain B. Birds were examined for scratches and feathering at 28, 35, and 42 days of age. Two outcomes were considered for scratches: presence (yes/no) and severity (severe [if a deep cut or at least three superficial cuts were present]/not severe). Only the examination at 35 days of age was blind. The outcome "scratches" was significantly associated with stocking density at all ages (P < or = 0.0001), strain A at 28 days of age (P = 0.0480), and poor feathering at 35 days of age (P < or = 0.0001). The outcome "severe scratches" was significantly associated with stocking density at 35 (P = 0.0003) and 42 days of age (P = 0.0021), strain A at 35 (P = 0.0089) and 42 days of age (P = 0.0306), and poor feathering at 35 days of age (P = 0.0018). Stocking density, strain of birds, and degree of feathering could be considered as potential risk factors for abdominal scratches in broiler chickens.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1984

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↗

PubMed2002

Activation and apoptosis of macrophages in cat scratch disease.

Cat scratch disease is an infectious disease usually caused by Bartonella henselae. Within 1-3 weeks after inoculation, patients typically develop regional self-limited lymphadenopathy. Lymph nodes reveal granulomas consisting of central necrosis, an inner rim of palisading macrophages, and an outer rim of lymphocytes and non-palisading macrophages. In animals, cat-scratch disease leads to an interferon-gamma (IFNgamma)-mediated T-helper 1 immune response, resulting in macrophage recruitment, stimulation, and thereby granuloma formation. The present study has sought to find in situ evidence for macrophage migration, activation, and cell death in human cat scratch disease. By non-radioactive in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry on serial sections, it was demonstrated that IFNgamma+ T lymphocytes and S100A8+, S100A9+ macrophages embrace granulomas, which consisted of S100A8-, S100A9-, HLA-DR+, CD40+, TNFalpha+ macrophages. Combination of in situ end-labelling and immunofluorescence revealed large numbers of DNA-fragmented CD68+ cells with intact plasma membranes corresponding to apoptotic macrophages. On the basis of these data, it was hypothesized that in human cat scratch disease, S100A8+, S100A9+ macrophages continuously migrate to the granulomas. During this process, they may be activated by IFNgamma T-helper 1 lymphocytes and be differentiated to S100A8-, S100A9-sessile, HLA-DR+, CD40+ antigen-presenting, TNFalpha+ pro-inflammatory macrophages forming granulomas. In parallel, macrophages undergo apoptosis in the centre of granulomata, a phenomenon that may restrict the destructive potential of macrophages and contribute to self-limitation of cat scratch disease.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2006

An unusual outcome in a child with hepatosplenic cat-scratch disease.

Typical cat-scratch disease (Bartonella henselae infection) in an immunocompetent child is usually associated with a history of scratch, bite or intimate contact with a cat. Most patients develop a non-tender papule in the scratch line after three to ten days. This may persist for only a few days or as long as two to three weeks. During the next two weeks or more, regional lymph nodes that drain the area gradually enlarge and then slowly resolve in more than 10% of patients. The nodes develop overlying erythema and may suppurate. Atypical forms of cat-scratch disease occur in a minority of cases and are characterized by ocular or neurological manifestations, hepatosplenic involvement, vertebral osteomyelitis, endocarditis etc. Immunocompromised individuals with B. henselae infection may develop bacillary angiomatosis, bacillary peliosis, and relapsing bacteremia. There have been several reports of hepatosplenic granulomas caused by B. henselae in immunocompetent children. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy with the hepatosplenic form of cat-scratch disease. Despite early diagnosis and long-term antimicrobial treatment, splenectomy could not be avoided.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2004

Clinical implication of prolonged fever in children with cat scratch disease.

Cat scratch disease, caused by Bartonella henselae, typically presents with a localized lymphadenopathy with a brief period of fever and general symptoms. However, there are atypical cases with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations including prolonged fever (> or =37.5 degrees C, for more than 7 days), or with systemic complication, or without lymphadenopathy. We analyzed relationships among those manifestations in children with cat scratch disease. A total of 127 patients were serologically diagnosed as having Bartonella infection between 1997 and 2003. Relationships among clinical manifestations were analyzed by use of multiple regression and multiple logistic regression analyses. Of the 127 seropositive cases, 75 (59.1%) had typical cat scratch disease and 52 (40.9%) had an atypical one. As atypical manifestations, 46 (36.2%) had prolonged fever, 23 (18.1%) had no lymphadenopathy, and 21 (16.5%) had complications: hepatic/splenic abscesses or low-echoic lesions, hepatic granuloma, and central nervous system involvements. Prolonged fever was observed in 20 (87%) of the 23 cases without lymphadenopathy and 16 (76.2%) of the 21 cases with complications. By multiple regression analysis, the duration of fever was significantly associated with both the absence of lymphadenopathy and the presence of complications. The child suffering from cat scratch disease without lymphadenopathy or with complication tends to have prolonged fever. Conversely, when a child has a prolonged fever of unknown origin, possibility of cat scratch disease should be considered, and a search for underlying systemic complications is recommended for prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A case of cat scratch disease neuroretinitis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND: Cat scratch disease neuroretinitis is caused by infection by Bartonella henselae. To demonstrate B. henselae infection, serologic examination is commonly used, but sometimes serologic examination is not adequate for correct diagnosis. Here we present a case of cat scratch disease neuroretinitis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction in addition to serologic examination. CASE: A 55-year-old woman, presenting with headache and high fever, had noticed visual disturbance. The best-corrected visual acuity in her right eye was 0.01. Meningitis, optic neuritis and retinitis were observed and she was treated with oral prednisolone. After repeated questioning, the patient remembered being scratched by a cat. Systemic examination focusing on B. henselae infection was conducted and B. henselae-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, but not IgM, was detected in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. To confirm B. henselae infection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using cerebrospinal fluid was performed and the presence of B. henselae-specific DNA was demonstrated. From these results, we diagnosed cat scratch disease neuroretinitis and treated the patient with minocycline hydrochloride together with prednisolone. Following this treatment regimen, the patient's condition improved, and the best-corrected visual acuity in her right eye increased to 0.6 five months after the onset. CONCLUSION: The PCR technique is useful to correctly diagnose cat scratch disease neuroretinitis, if patients exhibit marginal data on B. henselae-specific antibody titer.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1991

[A case of cat scratch disease complicated by reversible encephalopathy].

We described a eight-year-old girl with encephalopathy due to cat scratch disease. Cat scratch disease is a common cause of benign, self-limited, regional adenopathy seen among young people. Encephalopathy is uncommon but is a serious complication of cat scratch disease. Cat scratch disease with associated encephalopathy was described by Stevens in 1952. Since then there have been reports of only 39 cases in the English literature. As far as we know, this case is the first case in Japan. In cases of a rapidly progressive encephalopathy, the diagnosis of cat scratch disease should be considered.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1993

[A case of cat scratch disease: from the clinical pathological point of view].

We described a forty-four-year-old female who was scratched by her cat, and developed lymphadenopathy. Cat scratch disease skin-test was positive. Cat scratch disease is well known, but there are not many reports in Japan. Reports of cat scratch disease will increase as the pathogen was recently detected. Attention must be drawn to zoonosis containing cat scratch disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[A case of cat scratch disease identified by an elevated Bartonella henselae antibody level using enzyme immunoassay].

A 68-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of fever and a 2-week history of inguinal adenomegaly. Since he owned a cat, cat scratch disease was suspected. But it was necessary to distinguish cat scratch disease from lymphoma type adult T-cell leukemia because he showed a high level of antibody against HTLV-1. An excisional biopsy of the inguinal node was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed abscess-forming granulomatous lymphadenitis compatible with cat scratch disease. A Warthin-Starry silver stain showed pleomorphic bacilli in the lymph node. So we confirmed a serological response to Bartonella henselae, the causative agent of cat scratch disease, using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The IgG antibody level to B. henselae was positive at 42 EIA Unit before treatment. After treatment with intravenous cefepime and oral tosufloxacin, his physical symptoms improved and the antibody level decreased to less than 12 EIA Unit. EIA was very useful for diagnosis of this case. Serology to B. henselae may replace traditional diagnostic criteria for cat scratch disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Cat scratch disease in the United States: an analysis of three national databases.

OBJECTIVES: Current knowledge of the epidemiology of cat scratch disease is based primarily on information from case series. We used three national databases to obtain more representative data to determine the incidence and demographics of cat scratch disease. METHODS: Records coded with the diagnosis of cat scratch disease from two hospital discharge databases and an ambulatory care database were analyzed. Costs of diagnostic tests and hospitalization were obtained from a sample of providers and published data. RESULTS: The incidence of patients discharged from hospitals with a diagnosis of cat scratch disease was between 0.77 and 0.86 per 100,000 population per year. Fifty-five percent of the case patients were 18 years of age or younger. Males accounted for 60% of cases. Incidence varied by season; approximately 60% of case patients were discharged in the months September through January. The estimated incidence of disease in ambulatory patients was 9.3 per 100,000 population per year. On the basis of these rates, we estimated the annual health care cost of the disease to be more than $12 million. CONCLUSIONS: The rates and seasonality of cat scratch disease found in this study were consistent with previous reports. Adults represented a higher percentage of the total than reported in previous case series, suggesting that the disease may affect more adults than previously recognized.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

PubMed2001

[Splenic abscess and cat-scratch disease].

Cat-scratch disease is caused by a Gram-negative bacillus known as Bartonella henselae. This disease is usually benign and causes regional adenitis that does not require treatment. However, some patients develop more serious atypical forms of the disease including prolonged systemic illness with hepatic and splenic abscesses.A 14-year-old girl was admitted to hospital with a 12-day history of persistent high fever and abdominal pain. Ultrasonography and computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed splenic abscesses. These findings, together with an antecedent of cat exposure, led to the suspicion of cat-scratch disease, which was confirmed by serology. The girl was treated with intramuscular ceftriaxone and clinical evolution was favorable. Splenic cat-scratch disease is infrequent. Cat-scratch disease sometimes presents as fever of unknown origin and consequently this disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of prolonged fever. Although evolution is usually favorable, antibiotic therapy is recommended in systemic manifestations of cat-scratch disease.

Abscess↗

PubMed1986

Cat scratch disease. Identification of bacteria in seven cases of lymphadenitis.

A retrospective study of lymph node biopsy specimens from nine patients with the clinical findings and histologic features of cat scratch disease was undertaken to determine whether the recent report by Wear et al. that pleomorphic bacteria are present in the lymph nodes of cat scratch disease could be confirmed. In seven of our nine cases, pleomorphic bacteria were demonstrated with the Warthin-Starry (WS) silver stain. These were gram-negative with the Brown-Hopps tissue Gram stain and were almost at the limit of microscopic resolution. Lymph node specimens from 13 additional patients with nonspecific lymphadenitis who had neither clinical nor histologic findings of cat scratch disease were studied similarly; in none of these were bacteria demonstrated with the WS silver stain. After examining the distribution of the organisms and the related morphologic features in cat scratch disease, we conclude that demonstration of pleomorphic, gram-negative, WS-positive bacteria in the appropriate clinical and histologic setting can firmly establish the diagnosis of cat scratch disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[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↗

PubMed1996

Cat scratch disease: detection of Bartonella henselae DNA in archival biopsies from patients with clinically, serologically, and histologically defined disease.

Serological and epidemiological studies suggest that Bartonella henselae is the etiological agent of cat scratch disease. We designed a study to detect B. henselae in archival biopsies by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 16S rRNA gene followed by Southern blot hybridization. Forty-two histologically defined cat scratch disease biopsies and eighteen controls were selected for blinded analysis. After testing, charts were reviewed for clinical, immunological, and microbial evidence of infection. Results were correlated with duration of illness and antimicrobial therapy. B. henselae DNA was identified in 27 of 42 (64%) histologically defined patients and 23 of 34 (68%) patients defined both clinically and histologically. There were no false positives (0 of 18). A small subset (n = 14) had cat scratch disease serological tests performed. B. henselae was identified in 8 of 10 serologically positive patients. Polymerase chain reaction detected 50% of our DNA-positive cases (most of these early in the clinical course). Southern blotting of amplicons both doubled sensitivity (detecting patients > 4 weeks into illness) and confirmed B. henselae as the causative species. Our study strongly associates B. henselae with cat scratch disease, suggesting that it may be the most likely etiological agent in the majority of patients with cat scratch disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Cat-scratch disease caused by Bartonella henselae: the first case report in Taiwan.

We report a typical case of cat-scratch disease caused by Bartonella henselae, in Taiwan. A 20-year-old man developed right axillary lymphadenopathy 2 weeks after being scratched on his right hand by a kitten. The axillary lymphadenopathy resolved gradually and spontaneously after 10 weeks without specific treatment. Serologic tests were not done during the acute stage of the event. However, an immunofluorescent antibody test performed during the convalescent stage was positive for B. henselae antibodies, and the concentration dropped by fourfold 2 months later. Histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen from the right axillary lymph node revealed findings characteristic of cat-scratch disease including multiple foci of microabscesses surrounded by histiocytes and infiltration by plasma cells and lymphocytes. This is the first reported case of cat-scratch disease in Taiwan, with a history of contact with a cat, a positive serologic test for B. henselae infection and characteristic histopathologic findings of cat-scratch disease which met the criteria for diagnosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Enhanced mineralized tissue adhesion to titanium over polystyrene assessed by the nano-scratch test.

The critical load determined by the scratch test is regarded to be a representative measure of coating adhesion in the field of engineering. This study aimed to evaluate the method for its usefulness for assessing the mineralized tissue-titanium interface strength. Osteoblastic cells derived from rat bone marrow were cultured on polystyrene, titanium-coated polystyrene, and titanium disks with either a machined or dual-acid etched surface. Nano-scratch testing was performed on mineralized tissue specimens at culture day 28. The scratch path was monitored by light microscopy until complete delamination of mineralized tissue from the substrate occurred, and the required force was recorded as the critical load. Energy-dispersive spectroscopic analysis was used to verify the delamination. The mean critical load values (+/- standard deviations) were as follows: polystyrene 31 mN (+/-1), titanium-coated polystyrene 67 mN (+/-4), machined titanium 76 mN (+/-4), DAE titanium 107 mN (+/-3), with statistical differences (P < 0.05; ANOVA). No elemental calcium and phosphorous were observed in the delaminated areas. The nano-scratch test applied to cultured mineralized tissue differentiated the critical load from various culture conditions: polystyrene vs. titanium; titanium with different surface topographies. Culturing mineralized tissue on titanium, especially on roughened surfaces, increased the tissue critical load. The nano-scratch test may be useful to evaluate mineralized tissue adhesion properties in titanium cultures.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Activity of cerebellar Purkinje cells during fictitious scratch reflex in the cat.

The activity of Purkinje cells (PCs) was recorded in the anterior lobe (the vermis and pars intermedia) and in the paramedian lobule of the cerebellum during the fictitious scratch reflex in thalamic cats immobilized with Flaxedil. In the anterior lobe, the activity of many PCs was rhythmically modulated in relation to the scratch cycle: they generated bursts of impulses separated by periods of silence. Different PCs were active in different phases of the scratch cycle. In many cases the discharge modulation was irregular: the burst duration and the discharge rate in the burst varied considerably in subsequent cycles. The rhythmical activity of PCs was determined by modulation of the frequency of 'simple spikes' reflecting the mossy fiber input. Generation of 'complex spikes' reflecting the climbing fiber input in most PCs was not related with the scratch rhythm. In the paramedian lobule, rhythmical modulation of PCs was practically absent. Rhythmical modulation of PCs in immobilized cats is determined by signals coming from the central spinal mechanism of scratching via the ventral spinocerebellar tract (VSCT) and the spinoreticulocerebellar pathway (SRCP). Results of separate transections of these pathways demonstrated that the VSCT plays the crucial role in modulating the PCs.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed1995

Microinjection of morphine into the rat medullary dorsal horn produces a dose-dependent increase in facial scratching.

It has been proposed that opioids act at the level of the medulla to produce facial pruritus. Supporting this hypothesis, microinjection of mu-opioid receptor agonists into the medullary dorsal horn (MDH; trigeminal subnucleus caudalis) of monkeys produces facial scratching behavior. The present study sought to establish a rodent model of opioid-induced facial pruritus. To this end, morphine (0.1, 0.3 or 1.0 micrograms/0.2 microliter) or saline (0.2 microliter) was unilaterally microinjected into the MDH of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Behavior for the 20 min preceding and the 80 min after this microinjection was videotaped. Morphine produced dose-dependent increases in facial scratching behavior ipsilateral to the microinjections with the peak effect at 30-40 min after microinjection. Facial scratching continued for the entire 80 min post-microinjection test period. Morphine also produced a lesser degree of facial scratching contralateral to the microinjections. Increases in facial scratching ipsilateral to the microinjection of 0.3 microgram morphine into the MDH were attenuated by 0.4 mg/kg s.c. naloxone. These findings support the hypothesis that the MDH is a critical site of action of opioid agonists in producing facial pruritus.

Animals↗