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Inguinal lymphadenopathy due to Bartonella henselae
Paola Mancino1, Claudio Ucciferri, Katia Falasca
1Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Universita G d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
Le Infezioni in Medicina
|July 16, 2008
Summary
Bartonella henselae causes cat scratch disease, a common zoonotic illness. This case highlights that cat scratch disease can affect adults and manifest in inguinal lymph nodes, requiring careful diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bartonella henselae is the causative agent of cat scratch disease, a zoonotic illness typically affecting children and adolescents.
- The disease commonly presents as regional lymphadenopathy, predominantly in cervical and axillary lymph nodes.
- Inguinal lymph node involvement in cat scratch disease is infrequently reported.
Observation:
- A 35-year-old male presented with a painless right inguinal mass and mild fever.
- Histopathological examination of the excised mass revealed an inflammatory state suggestive of Bartonella infection.
- Antibody titers for Bartonella henselae confirmed the diagnosis.
Findings:
- Cat scratch disease can occur in adults, not exclusively in children and adolescents.
- Inguinal lymphadenopathy is a potential, albeit rare, presentation of Bartonella henselae infection.
- The diagnosis was supported by histopathology and serological testing.
Implications:
- Cat scratch disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in adults, including inguinal presentations.
- Thorough patient history, serological tests, and pathological examination are crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Cat scratch disease is generally benign and self-limiting, often not requiring antibiotic treatment.
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