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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- CSD :
-
cat-scratch disease
References
Adal KA, Cockerell CJ, Petri WA (1994) Cat scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, and other infections due to Rochalimaea. N Engl J Med 330: 1509–1515
Anderson B, Sims K, Regnery R, Robinson L, Schmidt MJ, Goral S, Hager C, Edwards K (1994) Detection ofRochalimaea henselae DNA in specimens from cat scratch disease patients by PCR. J Clin Microbiol 32: 942–948
Chaisson RE, Benson CA, Dube MP, Heifets LB, Korvick JA, Elkin S, Smith T, Craft C, Sattler FR, The AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol 157 Study Team (1994) Clarithromycin therapy for bacteremicMycobacterium avium complex disease. A randomized, double-blind, dose-ranging study in patients with AIDS. Ann Intern Med 121:905–911
Grossman M, Shiramizu B (1994) Evaluation of lymphadenopathy in children. Curr Opin Pediatr 6:68–76
Nadal D, Zbinden R (1995) Serodiagnostik der Katzenkratzkrankheit. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 125 [Suppl] 70: 18
Raoult D, Tissot Dupont H, Enea-Mutillod M (1994) Positive predictive value ofRochalimaea henselae antibodies in the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease. Clin Infect Dis 19:355
Regnery RL, Olson JG, Perkins BA, Bibb W (1992) Serological response to “Rochalimaea henselae” antigen in suspected cat-scratch disease. Lancet 339:1443–1445
Schwartzman WA (1992) Infections due toRochalimaea: The expanding clinical spectrum. Clin Infect Dis 15:893–902
Waldvogel K, Regnery RL, Anderson BE, Caduff R, Caduff J, Nadal D (1994) Disseminated cat-scratch disease: detection ofRochalimaea henselae in affected tissue. Eur J Pediatr 153:23–27
Wear DJ, Margileth AM, Hadfield TL, Fisher GW, Schlagel CJ, King FM (1983) Cat scratch disease: a bacterial infection. Science 221:1403–1405
Zangwill KM, Hamilton DH, Perkins BA Regnery RL, Plikaytis BD, Hadler JL, Cartter ML, Wenger JD (1993) Catscratch disease in Connecticut. Epidemiology, risk factors and evaluation of a new diagnostic test. N Engl J Med 329:8–13
Zbinden R, Höchli M, Nadal D (in press)Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae cocultivated with Vero cells: intracellular location and use for an indirect fluorescence antibody test. Clin Diag Lab Immunol
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Part of this study has been reported in abstract form (Schweiz Med Wochenschr [1995] 125 [Suppl] 70:18) reference [5]
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
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
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957503