CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE - THE RARE ROLE OF AFIPIA-FELIS

Since its isolation in 1988, Afipia felis has been associated with cat scratch disease (CSD) in only one report and its role in CSD has been questioned. We have cultured A. felis from a lymph node of a patient with CSD. 16S rRNA gene sequencing, DNA relatedness studies, fatty aci d analysis, and PCR of the A,felis ferredoxin gene showed that the iso late is identical to the previously reported A. felis isolate, To dete rmine the role of A. felis in CSD, PCR of the 16S rRNA gene followed b y hybridizations with specific probes were performed with lymph node s pecimens from CSD patients, All 32 specimens tested positive for Barto nella henselae and negative for A. felis, We conclude that A, felis is a rare cause of CSD. Diagnostic tests not conducive to the identifica tion of A. felis might cause the diagnosis of CSD due to A. felis to b e missed.