The Human Disease
A Bartonella henselae infection in a healthy person leads to cat scratch disease. The scratch site from a claw containing bits of infected flea dirt will develop a small read bump called a papule. About two to three weeks following the contact with an infected feline, the lymph node in the area of the scratch site will swell and become painful; a fever will also develop, at this point. These symptoms are usually minor and will resolve on their own.
If the patient does not have a competent immune system, one or more of several much more serious syndromes can result. For instance, if an HIV positive person or a pregnant woman is infected with Bartonella henselae, the infection can more deeply penetrate the body causing more serious conditions.
Risks of Infection in Cats
Cats with insufficient flea control are at the highest risk. According to the National Veterinary Laboratory, an estimated 30% of healthy cats, in the United States, are infected carriers of Bartonella henselae. These rates are even higher in the nation’s hot and humid areas, which provide prime conditions for fleas. The National Veterinary Laboratory has found that about 21% of Ohio’s healthy cats are infected with the bacteria.
This may sound somewhat concerning for Ohio’s cat owners. If a person is diagnosed with cat scratch disease, there is 90% chance that the cats they own will found to be infected, as well. However, it is important to remember that a cat can only transmit the infection with a claw full of flea dirt. An effective flea control plan will eliminate the fleas, thereby eliminating the flea dirt and the risk of disease transmission.
Do Infected Cats get Sick?
There are several illnesses that have been associated with Bartonella infection, such as: fever, deep eye inflammation, lymph node enlargement, muscle pain, reproductive failure, and bacterial heart valve deposits called endocarditis.
Most importantly, Bartonella infection may be one of the main causes of a progressive feline oral disease called plasma cell stomatitis. Cats infected with, both, Bartonella henselae and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are at a higher risk of developing plasma cell stomatitis compared to what would be expected from either infection alone.
Bartonella infection may also be at the root of numerous chronic inflammatory conditions in cats. With such regionally high numbers of infected cats, it is difficult to prove one way or the other whether there is a real association or just coincidence.
Is my Cat Infected?
If you believe your cat is infected, you should have your veterinarian test them for Bartonella infection. Here, at All Creatures Animal Hospital, we screen cats frequently for this relatively common organism. Cats who test positive are then treated and retested to see if they are clear of the infection.
Prevention of Human Infection
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have provided guidelines for the optimum prevention of infection in humans. HIV-infected persons, particularly those who are severely immunosuppressed, are at an unusually high-risk for developing relatively severe disease due to infection with Bartonella. These persons should consider the potential risks of cat ownership. If these persons do decide to acquire a cat, they should adopt or purchase a healthy animal that is 1-year-old or greater. Always be sure to use good flea control.
HIV-infected persons should avoid rough play with cats and situations in which scratches are likely. Any wound inflicted by a cat should be promptly washed. Cats should not be allowed to lick open wounds or cuts of an HIV-infected person..
Dr. Dan Meakin is the owner of All Creatures Animal Hospital, 1894 Ohio Pike in Amelia. Call 513-797-PETS (7387).