BARTONELLA HENSELAE BACTEREMIA IN DOMESTIC CATS FROM AUCKLAND

Bartonella henselae causes most cases of cat scratch disease, a self-l imited localised lymphadenopathy illness of humans. Bartonella hensela e also causes disseminated cutaneous and visceral disease in immunocom promised people. Cat blood (1-5 ml) collected from cats in the Aucklan d area was processed and plated on to 5% sheep blood brain heart infus ion agar and incubated at 35 degrees C in 5% CO2 for 14 days. Bartonel la henselae was identified by colony morphology, Gram's stain, twitchi ng motility, biochemical tests and molecular methods. Eight of 48 cats (17%) had Bartonella bacteraemia. Species-specific probes and biochem ical profiles identified all isolates as B. henselae. Infected cats po se a risk to humans they lick, scratch or bite. People should be made aware of the risk cats pose.