Cat scratch disease is an infectious bacterial pathology transmitted mainly to humans through the bite or scratch of a feline. Children are the most affected. What are the health risks ? How to protect yourself?
Little known to the general public, cat scratch disease (also called benign inoculating lymphoréticulosis) is a bacterial infectious disease transmitted in 75% of cases, as its name suggests, by the scratch of a feline. It can also be transmitted to humans by bite (10% of cases), quite simply by contact with the saliva of the animal or by rubbing the eyes after having stroked it.
The bacteria in question, the Bartonella henselae, spreads through blood vessels and seems to primarily affect children and young people under the age of 15. Its incubation period is 7 at 60 days if the infectious reservoir is the cat. Even if your pet is clean and well cared for, stray cats infect domestic cats, especially through their fleas. It is therefore a zoonosis, a disease which is transmitted naturally from vertebrate animals to humans, and vice versa. It is important to note that a cat can be infected with this bacteria several times during its life.
How does cat scratch disease manifest itself?
The disease manifests itself initially in the form of redness, or even a pinkish pimple, at the site of inoculation. This often goes away, which does not mean that the infection does. DLymph nodes appearing between one and three weeks after infection. The infected person may also have a fever, headache, weight loss, or skin rashes.
Credit: Centers for Disease Control an Prevention illustration.
Cat scratch disease is usually mild, but in some cases it can affect vital organs like the liver. In the worst case, patients can also develop endocarditis and even encephalitis..
A few serious atypical forms have been reported in the scientific literature, such as an American woman who lost the use of her left eye in 2015 following the infection. “I woke up and I couldn’t see with my left eye”, Janese Walters told at the time. “I went to look in the mirror, and it looked like conjunctivitis.” Doctors spent a month researching what pathology this woman was suffering from, until she told them that she had a cat and that the animal had licked her there a few weeks before.
40% of cats are infected
The Centers for Disease Control an Prevention (CDC) estimates thatabout 40% of cats are vectors of the Bartonella henselae. “Kittens less than one year old are more likely to have an infection with B. henselae and pass the germ to humans. Kittens are also more likely to scratch and bite while playing,” specifies the prevention center.
Most infected cats show no symptoms, according to the CDC, but in rare cases, the disease can lead to heart problems and difficult breathing in the animal. “Infection with B. henselae can also develop in the mouth, urinary system, or “eyes of the feline.” Your veterinarian may discover that some of your cat’s other organs may be inflamed.
What to do in case of a scratch or bite?
It is recommended to wash your hands after having been in contact with your cat, to be vigilant to avoid any risk of bites or scratches, and especially to quickly disinfect the wound if you have still been touched. In chave infection, do not blame your animal, do not reject it, it does not mean any harm to you.
.
