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In people, cat scratch disease {batonella} responds to several different oral antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin and doxycycline. Antibiotics are usually given for 2 to 3 months unless there is bloodstream or internal organ involvement. In advanced HIV disease, long-term management with lower doses is usually necessary to prevent relapse.

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IDSA's new guidelines seem to say that we cannot get bartonellosis from a tick bite. Perhaps they feel they have to deny it, or the argument that long-term antibiotics work would be too strong.

Let's get tested for Bart whenever possible, as a positive test might insure longer antibiotic treatment, at least for 3 months anyway. Perhaps you should tell your doctor about your cat (or the neighbor's cat ) scratched you at just about the same time you got bitten by a tick....

And if you can prove that your immune system is compromised, you might be able to argue for even longer treatment.

Also, add this to your mental list of instances (HIV + bart) where antibiotics are given forever, not just for a month. Relapsing fever is another one where lifetime maintenance antibiotics are prescribed.

Regards,
Shaz

Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged |