Have you ever been bitten, licked or scratched by a cat or kitten? Most of you probably have, but did you know that approximately 10% of household cats, and 33% of stray cats carry a type of bacteria called Bartonella henselae (1). Bartonella henselae is a gram negative bacteria that can cause cat scratch disease (CSD), which can be transferred to a person, mostly young children, who have been either bitten, licked or scratched by a cat. B. henselae lives in infected cats’ saliva and is usually spread by fleas from cat to cat (2).
Primary inoculation occurs within one to two weeks of the initial bite, lick or scratch resulting in swelling of the infected area. Blisters or bumps are usually the first sign that a person has been infected by
Primary inoculation occurs within one to two weeks of the initial bite, lick or scratch resulting in swelling of the infected area. Blisters or bumps are usually the first sign that a person has been infected by