CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE AND BARTONELLA (ROCHA LIMAEA) DISEASES

The aetiology of cat scratch disease remains controversial since both Afipia felis and Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae have been isolated from diseased lymph nodes. Bartonella henselae, Bartonella (Rochalimae a) quintana and Bartonella (Rochalimaea) elizabethae cause endocarditi s and Bartonella bacilliformis cause septicemia (Oroya's fever) in non -immunocompromized patients, and Bartonella henselae and Bartonella qu intana cause fever, bacillary angiomatosis, and visceral peliosis in h uman immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Bartonella quintana is the historical agent of trench fever and we recently isolated it from chronic adenopathy. The diagnosis of Afipia felis and Bartonella infec tions relies upon the isolation of the bacterium from blood, node tiss ue after inoculation of cell cultures systems and molecular identifica tion, and upon the serology. In vitro both species are sensitive to am inoglycosides, and we recommend aminoglycosides be included in antibio tic regimens for treating cat scratch disease and Bartonella infection s.