Cat Scratch Disease is a sickness caused by the Bartonella bacteria. People can get sick after being bitten or scratched by an infected cat, where the bite or scratch is hard enough to break the skin. People can also get the bacteria if an infected cat is allowed to lick open cuts or scrapes on a person’s skin. Cat Scratch Disease is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can spread between animals and people.
This fact sheet was developed by students in Macquarie University’s 2022 Medical Sciences Capstone/PACE subject major industry partnership project. The following references were provided by the students who developed the fact sheet:
Biancardi, A. L., & Curi, A. L. L. 2014. Cat-scratch disease. Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, 22(2): 148-154. https://doi.org/10.3109/09273948.2013.833631.
Brooke, W. 2019. Bartonella and Cat Scratch Fever. Veterinary Partner, Veterinary Information Network (VIN). Available at: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102903&id=4952003.
Chomel, B. B. 2000. Cat-scratch disease. Revue Scientifique et Technique-Office International des Epizooties, 19(1): 136-142. https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.19.1.1204.
Flexman, J. P., Lavis, N. J., Kay, I. D., Watson, M., Metcalf, C., & Pearman, J. W. 1995. Bartonella henselae is a causative agent of cat scratch disease in Australia. Journal of Infection, 31(3): 241-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0163-4453(95)80035-2.
Reed, J. B., Scales, D. K., Wong, M. T., Lattuada, C. P., Dolan, M.,& Schwab, I. R. 1998. Bartonella henselae neuroretinitis in cat scratch disease: diagnosis, management and sequelae. Ophthalmology, 105: 459-466. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(98)93028-7.
