Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Cat Scratch Disease is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• Cat-Scratch-Oculoglandular Syndrome
• Parinaud's Syndrome
• Cat-Scratch Adenitis
• Cat-Scratch Fever
• Debre's Syndrome
• Foshay-Mollaret Cat-Scratch Fever
• Lymphadenitis, Regional Nonbacterial
• Lymphoreticulosis, Benign Inoculation
• Petzetakis' Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Cat-Scratch Disease (also commonly known as Cat-Scratch Fever) is a self- limiting infectious disease characterized by swelling and pain in the lymph nodes (regional lymphadenitis). Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and may include achiness and discomfort (malaise), and/or loss of appetite (anorexia). In most cases a scratch, bite, or lick of a cat is considered to be the source of the infection. Symptoms do not appear for several days after exposure and may last for several weeks. Although Cat-Scratch Disease usually subsides without treatment, antibiotic and/or antimicrobial therapy may speed recovery. Approximately 22,000 cases are reported in the United States each year, although more mild cases may go unnoticed and resolve without treatment.