Lymph node syndrome associated with cat scratch disease in children and adults

A retrospective evaluation of a group of patients with cat-scratch disease which is focused on epidemiological context, clinical picture, serological diagnosis and treatment in children and adults. Seventy-three patients with catch-scratch disease (CSD) were diagnosed at the Clinic of infectious medicine in 2008-2017, the group consisted of 37 children and 36 adults. Injury, or at least contact with cat, localization of lymph node syndrome and other clinical signs were investigated. Serological diagnosis was based on detection of IgM and IgG antibodies against Bartonella henselae. Duration of lymph node syndrome and antibodies against B. henselae were observed. Findings of granulomatous inflammation in extirpated lymph node supported suspicion of CSD. 66 of 73 patients had contact with cat, only 22 patients reported injury caused by cat. Cervical lymph nodes were affected the most often, in 32 patients. Extirpation of lymph node was performed in 19 patients. Positive IgM antibodies were detected in 47 patients. Between the group of children and adults important differences in any followed parameters were not observed. In the group of 73 patients with cat-scratch disease cervical lymph nodes were affected the most often. Positive IgM antibodies were detected in 47 patients, lymph node extirpation was performed in 19 patients. Considerable differences in course of disease in children and adults were not found out. Keywords: cat-scratch disease, lymph node syndrome, serology, extirpation.