Transverse myelitis in 2 patients with Bartonella henselae infection (cat scratch disease).
Cat scratch disease is usually a benign, self-limiting condition. Neurological manifestations are uncommon and may consist of encephalopathy, seizures, and coma. This report describes 2 cases of transverse myelitis: 1 case in a 46-year-old man who had lymph node biopsy and serological testing results that were positive for Bartonella henselae and 1 case in a 13-year-old adolescent boy who had serological testing results that were positive for B. henselae. These are 2 of the only 3 cases of transverse myelitis associated with cat scratch disease that have been reported since the causative organism was first reported.
Baylor
Peter
P
Department of Medicine, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Fresno, CA 93703, USA. Peter.Baylor@va.gov
Garoufi
Anastasia
A
Karpathios
Themistoclis
T
Lutz
Jon
J
Mogelof
Jeffrey
J
Moseley
Dennis
D
D000293:Adolescent; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*