Serology to Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae may replace traditional diagnostic criteria for cat-scratch disease.
Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae has been identified as causative agent of cat-scratch disease (CSD). Employing an indirect fluorescence antibody test we found that 20 (100%) out of 20 children with suspected CSD had serum titres to B. henselae of > or = 512. By contrast, in all but one of the controls (n = 332) including subjects exposed to the same cats, patients with diseases other than CSD, and blood donors the antibody titres were < or = 256 (P < 0.001). However, significant regional differences in seroprevalence were noted. CONCLUSION. Serology to B. henselae may supplant traditional criteria for the diagnosis of CSD and prevent patients from unnecessary surgery.
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Infectious Diseases Unit, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000276:immunology*; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D012698:Serologic Tests
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial