Topic: Cat scratches might transmit disease, but you can cut the chances
Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Cat scratches might transmit disease, but you can cut the chances
January 8, 2009
In our family, we fondly remember a cat that lived with us only a short time but had a big presence. Not only do we remember because of his incredibly sweet personality and affection for Thai spring rolls, but also because he made my husband really sick.
We heard Frank before we saw him. He made a tiny and desperate "mewing" sound from high in our backyard tree, which he clung to fervently as it swayed in the breeze. As my husband grabbed for him, he sank his teeth into the soft webbing between the thumb and index finger. Somehow, my husband held on and Frank was ours.
As our affection for Frank grew, so did my husband's lymph nodes. By the end of the week, he had a fever and a grossly enlarged hand that spawned red streaks up his arm and was achy. It took several tests and an infectious disease specialist to diagnose my husband's malady as Cat Scratch Disease, or CSD. Although dogs can pass on CSD, it's usually cats that cause human infection.
Fleas transmit the bacteria to animals when they help themselves to a blood meal. It's estimated that 25 to 40 percent of cats carry the bacteria, Bartonella henselae, that causes CSD at some point in their lives. Most of these cats never show any signs of the illness, unlike their unlucky human victims. The majority of people infected with the disease show only mild signs, like my husband. But many will have severe illness, including low red-blood cell counts and pneumonia.
Diseases that animals can transmit to people are known as zoonotic. Like some other zoonotic diseases, CSD is more of a threat to the immuno-compromised. Because lots of cats may have been infected at some point in their lives, it's difficult to figure out if a particular cat is currently a threat. It's best to take precautions to reduce your risk of getting the disease.
Keep your pets free of fleas by using safe and effective flea prevention products recommended by your veterinarian, and keep cats indoors to minimize exposure to fleas. Always and immediately thoroughly wash any animal scratch or bite with warm running water and soap for several minutes. Keep your cat's nails trimmed to diminish the chances of getting scratched.
You should also avoid encouraging games with your cat that involve seeking out your hands and feet as prey, as these games can quickly get rough and lead to scratching and biting. And don't allow your cat to lick skin that contains open wounds, where infected saliva can enter the body.
Immuno-compromised individuals, such as those with HIV and cancer, should take special care around cats and kittens to reduce the risk of being bitten or scratched.
Thank you for posting this. I noticed that there were no replies on this, and I know that sometimes when taking the time to type something and post it, that can be a little discouraging.
I have often wonder agou Cat scratch fever. A while back I was trying to help my husband with flooring in a house. Well it was killing me, but I pushed through while taking Provigil and many pain medicines. I was determined to 'be a help' that day!
I have done this before on rare occasions that I have a fairly okay day, but knowing that there will be a price to pay. I will be bed-ridden for about a wk. usually.
However, this was at least a few months ago and I have never recovered. I have been very ill since then. The one thing that happened that day was that I was scratched and bitten by a very sick cat!!!!!
We saw the cat at the side of the house. I went to her as she was trying to scoot, not being able to use her back legs. This was a wild cat. As I was examing her she scrated me a few times. She then went into a seizure. I put my finger in her mouth to release her toungue so she could breath. Of cousre he mouth clamped down biting by finger, not on purpose but due to the seizure.
Sadly she passed. My husband was panicked over the bite and scratces and ran to get Bactine and sprayed it EVERYWHERE on all of the wounds.
I have not had swollen lymph nodes or anything like that, but I have ofter wonder if what happened has anything to do with me being so much more sick since that day?????
I really do wonder???
Thank you for the post!
Posts: 351 | From Georgia | Registered: Feb 2008
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
"Thank you for posting this. I noticed that there were no replies on this, and I know that sometimes when taking the time to type something and post it, that can be a little discouraging."
You are welcome...and thank YOU for the lovely thought. I tend to post a lot of articles and studies, so I never expect replies to many of them. (But yes, it is always nice to be acknowledged for our contributions at times)
"I have not had swollen lymph nodes or anything like that, but I have ofter wonder if what happened has anything to do with me being so much more sick since that day?????"
Swollen nodes are only one possible symptom of Bartonella. It certainly seems feasible that your stray cat could have passed something on to you with the bite, scratches, or from the saliva. Please discuss this with your doc, OK?
My best, Melanie
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
Not even a parenthetical mention of the fact that you can get it from a tick?
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posted
Thanks for posting this. I have a ten year old relative who was scratched by a cat over the holidays and I have been worried about cat scratch disease ever since.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
Since the IDSA doesn't think that Bartonella is spread by tick bite, I'm not surprised it is not included. The description of Bartonella is what you'd read in most mainstream descriptions.
It is known that cat scratch disease is more severe in immunocompromised patients, such as AIDS patients. And it is known that Lyme patients have lowered immune response. So can't they put the two together that cat-scratch disease can be more difficult in Lyme patients?
Honestly after reading it again, I think I will mention it. I've just started IV tx again, but very slowly as a percaution.
For the last week I have developed a cough that is sooooo bad. It actually sounds more like fluid and nothing like congestion. I know that sounds strange but I don't know how else to explain it. And a lot of other sx, but with Lyme and Co. you can never tell.
I just wanted to say thank you once again!!
I know this didn't mention ticks, but I have seen articles that do. I know it's frusterating!
But I have always felt too that more people need to realize that be scratched or bitten by a cat can be dangerous. And it's unbelievable how many don't!
Posts: 351 | From Georgia | Registered: Feb 2008
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
More info:
Bartonella is caused by several species of bacteria. It is known to be transmitted by vectors such as fleas, biting flies, body louse, mosquitoes and ticks (Argasidae Carios kelleyi, Ixodes pacificus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus).
Bartonella has also been associated with the saliva of dogs and cats, normally passed on through scratches, bites or everyday grooming. Congenital transmission is also documented. Some species of Bartonella have a Fatality rate of 10-90%.
Transmission of Bartonella henselae by Ixodes ricinus. Cott� V, Bonnet S, Le Rhun D, et al.� Emerg Infect Dis 2008�Jul; 14(7):1074-1080.
Experimental Transmission of Bartonella henselae by the Cat Flea. Chomel B, Kasten R, Floyd-Hawkins K, Chi B, Yamamoto K, Roberts-Wilson J, Nikos Gurfield A et al. Journal Of Clinical Microbiology, Aug. 1996, p. 1952-1956.
Bartonella spp. DNA associated with biting flies from California. Chung CY, Kasten RW, Paff SM, Van Horn BA, Vayssier-Taussat M, Boulouis H-J et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Jul.
Role of Hippoboscidae Flies as Potential Vectors of Bartonella spp. Infecting Wild and Domestic Ruminants. Halos L, Jamal T, Maillard R, Girard B, Guillot J, Chomel B, Vayssier-Taussat M, Boulouis HJ. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2004 Oct;70(10):6302-5.
Experimental Model of Human Body Louse Infection Using Green Fluorescent Protein-Expressing Bartonella quintana. Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Michael F. Minnick, Hubert Lepidi, Eric Salvo, and Didier Raoult Infect Immun. 2001 March; 69(3): 1876-1879.
Infection of Ixodes Ticks, Mosquitoes and Patients with Borrelia, Bartonella, Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Babesia in Western Siberia, Russia. Molecular Biology of Spirochetes FC Cabrello et al. IOS Press, 2006.
Isolation of Bartonella quintana from a Woman and a Cat following Putative Bite Transmission. Edward B. Breitschwerdt, Ricardo G. Maggi, Betsy Sigmon, and William L. Nicholson. J Clin Microbiol. 2007 January; 45(1): 270-272.
Bartonella DNA in dog saliva. Duncan AW, Maggi RG, Breitschwerdt EB. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 Dec;13(12):1948-50.
Kinetics of Bartonella birtlesii Infection in Experimentally Infected Mice and Pathogenic Effect on Reproductive Functions. Henri J. Boulouis et al. Infection and Immunity, September 2001, p. 5313-5317, Vol. 69, No. 9.
BARTONELLOSIS New and Old. C . Magui�a , E . Gotuzzo Infectious Disease Clinics of North America ,�Volume 14 ,�Issue 1 ,�Pages 1 - 22 (Fatality rate)
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
There was a vet study not so long ago,,,that said over 80% of cattle in South Carolina,,had bart.
Indeed a majority of animals AND people harbor the 'problem',,,but I am 'thinking' a healthy immune system keeps it in check,,,or controlled a bit!!
AND dont think you can accuse a lymie of not being immune system impaired!!
It IS supposed to be a "EASY" to pass from person to person,disease. Like sharing a glass,OR even a finger nail clipper within your family. Or even sneezes etc., surfaces ,on and on.
How could it help but NOT be passed from one to another!!
After all how many of the older generation of us grew up on a 'farm' and or drank raw unpasturized milk, direct from barn to table.
Didnt know what pasturized milk was till young adulthood,,,nobody did back then!! That was a 'towny' thing!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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