Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Cat scratch disease: a diagnostic conundrum
Cat scratch disease: a diagnostic conundrum
* Department of Sexual Health & HIV Medicine, St Stephens Centre, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH; Department of Microbiology, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough; The Garden Clinic, Upton Hospital, Slough, UK
Correspondence to: Dr C Scott Email: christopher.scott@chelwest.nhs.uk
Key Words: cat scratch disease • Bartonella henselae • Lymphogranuloma venereum • inguinal lymphadenopathy
We report the case of a patient who presented to a clinic for evaluation of inguinal lymphadenopathy. Histology of the lymph nodes revealed micoabscess formation suggesting infection with Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) or Bartonella henselae – the causative agent in cat scratch disease (CSD). The patient recalled no preceding animal exposure. Clinical and serological findings initially suggested early LGV but convalescent serology supported CSD. This serves as an important reminder that B. henselae infection should be considered a cause of regionallymphadenopathy in individuals suspected of having LGV.
Labels: Bartonella henselae, cat scratch disease, inguinal lymphadenopathy, Lymphogranuloma venereum
