Related Experiment Videos
Cat-scratch disease presenting as a breast mass.
Cendrine Godet1, France Roblot, Gwenaël Le Moal
1Departments of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Poitiers, France. c.godet@chu-poitiers.fr
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 17, 2004
Summary
A young girl developed a breast mass after guinea pig contact. Diagnosis of cat-scratch disease was confirmed by detecting Bartonella henselae DNA in abscess fluid using PCR.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Human Pathology
Background:
- Cat-scratch disease is a bacterial infection most commonly caused by Bartonella henselae.
- While typically associated with cats, zoonotic transmission from other animals is possible.
- Unusual presentations of infectious diseases can pose diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old female presented with a left breast mass.
- The patient reported recent contact with a guinea pig.
- Initial presentation mimicked other breast pathologies.
Findings:
- Abscess aspirate analysis revealed the presence of Bartonella henselae DNA.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmed the etiological agent.
- This confirmed the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering zoonotic infections in pediatric breast masses.
- Demonstrates the utility of molecular diagnostic techniques like PCR in identifying Bartonella henselae.
- Suggests that guinea pigs may be an underrecognized source for cat-scratch disease transmission.