Cat Scratch Disease Analysis

Over an eight year period from the years 2005 through 2013 more than eight thousand individuals have been diagnosed with cat scratch disease (cdc.gov). Evidence of some symptoms individuals would develop when they would contract this illness was first notified back in the 1950’s, but the disease causing agent wasn’t identified until the mid-1980’s. Even though this disease has not been proven to cause death amongst its victims it is still important to understand some key factors to be aware of if you do own a feline as a pet. These important aspects would include the microorganism that causes it, how it’s transmitted, its pathogenic factors, symptoms, as well as current treatments for this disease. This disease is transmitted by a bacterium that belongs to the genus Bartonella, which contains nearly twenty different species that are transferred to other organisms via vectors such as fleas, ticks, or lice. The species …show more content…
This would include the microorganism causing it known as Bartonella henselae and how it is an aerobic, intracellular, proteobacteria. As well as how this bacteria makes its way into a cats system through ticks and fleas, and into our bodies through scratches, bites, or saliva. Once B. henselae makes its way into our system it will adhere to the erythrocytes and replicate until the cell dies, or antibodies prevent further replication. Various symptoms will begin to develop once our bodies recognize that this bacterium has invaded our immune system causing us to have fever, headaches, and fatigue. Most individuals will overcome this disease on their own but in serve cases will have to take antibiotics in order to help conquer it. We can also prevent the contraction of B. henselae by making sure to clip cat’s nails, not playing rough with cats, and most importantly scheduling routine checkups with