Tender regional lymphadenopathy and fever accompanying papular lesions have a broad differential diagnosis, including infection and malignancy, but cat scratch disease (CSD) climbs high on the list for a patient with a history of a recent kitten bite or scratch. CSD is a zoonotic infection caused by Bartonella henselae infiltrating broken skin. As its name suggests, cats, particularly kittens, serve as the primary reservoir. Most cases in immunocompetent patients are self-limited, although the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends azithromycin as first-line treatment to hasten recovery.
Comment
Tender regional lymphadenopathy and fever accompanying papular lesions have a broad differential diagnosis, including infection and malignancy, but cat scratch disease (CSD) climbs high on the list for a patient with a history of a recent kitten bite or scratch. CSD is a zoonotic infection caused by Bartonella henselae infiltrating broken skin. As its name suggests, cats, particularly kittens, serve as the primary reservoir. Most cases in immunocompetent patients are self-limited, although the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends azithromycin as first-line treatment to hasten recovery.