RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cat Scratch Disease and Arthropod Vectors: More to it than a Scratch?
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 685
OP 686
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2010.05.100025
VO 23
IS 5
A1 Mosbacher, Mark
A1 Elliott, Sean P.
A1 Shehab, Ziad
A1 Pinnas, Jacob L.
A1 Klotz, John H.
A1 Klotz, Stephen A.
YR 2010
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/23/5/685.abstract
AB Purpose: Cat scratch disease is a common infection, particularly in children, and clinicians need to be aware of its potential transmission to humans by arthropod vectors such as fleas and ticks in addition to animal bites and scratches. The absence of a vertebrate bite or scratch does not preclude infection with Bartonella henselae.Methods:Literature regarding arthropod transmission of B. henselae was reviewed.Results:B. henselae and related bacterial species are transmitted among cats and dogs by arthropod vectors. In the absence of these vectors, disease does not spread amongst the animals. On the other hand, disease can be spread to humans by bite and scratch as well as by arthropod vectors. Animals commonly infected with B. henselae and arthropod vectors are discussed.Conclusions:Clinicians should be aware that a common illness, cat scratch disease, can be transmitted by arthropod vectors and a history of an animal scratch or bite is not necessary for disease transmission.