Abstract
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 toB. henselae of ≥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 ≤256 (P<0.001). However, significant regional differences in seroprevalence were noted.
Conclusion
Serology toB. henselae may supplant traditional criteria for the diagnosis of CSD and prevent patients from unnecessary surgery.
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Abbreviations
- CSD :
-
cat-scratch disease
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Part of this study has been reported in abstract form (Schweiz Med Wochenschr [1995] 125 [Suppl] 70:18) reference [5]
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Nadal, D., Zbinden, R. Serology toBartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae may replace traditional diagnostic criteria for cat-scratch disease. Eur J Pediatr 154, 906–908 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957503
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957503