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Cat-scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae, a gram-negative bacillus also responsible for many cases of bacillary angiomatosis in patients with AIDS. This organism may be present in the blood of healthy-appearing cats, especially young ones, which can inoculate the microbe into the skin of humans through scratching, biting, or licking. Transmission by fleas may also occur. Typical cat-scratch disease consists of a scratch or red-brown papule accompanied by gradual enlargement of regional lymph nodes, which may suppurate and occasionally spontaneously rupture or require surgical drainage. In immunocompetent patients, systemic features such as fever and malaise sometimes occur, but serious complications, such as blindness and enceph…