Bone infection in cat-scratch disease: a review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the main features of bone infection associated with Cat-scratch disease (CSD).


METHODS
We searched for articles indexed in the international literature databases by using the following key words: "Bartonella", "bone", "cat-scratch", "osteomyelitis" and "osteolytic".


RESULTS
Cases of 47 patients were reviewed. The median age was 9 years, with an equal sex distribution. Bone pain and fever were the main symptoms. The presence of fever and increased age were more common in patients with bone infection than classically reported in uncomplicated (i.e. nodal) CSD. The vertebral column and pelvic girdle were the most common sites of infection. Radiological examination typically confirmed bone osteolysis. All patients recovered without complications or chronic infection, although they received a various combination antibiotic regimen and duration therapy. The mechanism by which infection might spread to the bone is via the haematogenous route, accounting for most of the disseminated cases and via the lymphatic route, for those with regional limited extension.


CONCLUSIONS
Bone infection is rare but should be considered when bone pain and fever are present in a patient with nodal CSD. The prognosis is good, whatever treatment is given. Thus bone biopsy should be recommended only in a difficult diagnostic setting, when other bacteria or malignant disease are suspected.
Hajjaji
Nawale
N
Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Centre Hospitalier Régional-La Source, BP 86709, 45067 Orléans Cedex 2, France.
Hocqueloux
Laurent
L
Kerdraon
Rémy
R
Bret
Laurent
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology