title: [Disciform keratatis caused by Bartonella henselae infection: detection of a rare ocular complication of cat-scratch disease with PCR].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a common infectious disease, however its association with a disciforme keratitis is to our knowledge a previously unreported ocular complication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 65-year old female was treated unsuccessfully with topical antibiotics, acyclovir and corticosteroids for several weeks because of a disciforme keratitis. Repeatedly, microbiological investigations (microscopy and culture) were negative. 16S rDNA-PCR with subsequent DNA-sequencing on material obtained by corneal scrape identified Bartonella henselae. Based on this result we have initiated a treatment with topical cephotaxim and within a short period of time the cornea healed with a paracentral scar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  16S rDNA-PCR was very helpful in identifying the intracellular sited bacterium Bartonella henselae as the causative pathogen of an unusual form of disciforme keratitis.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Augenklinik Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee, 93042 Regensburg.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gabler
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Linde
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Reischl
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lohmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000235:genetics; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction