Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment
Published on: April 19, 2024
Bartonella henselae encephalopathy in a paediatric patient: A case report and treatment review
Ana Peláez Bejarano1, Raquel Sánchez Del Moral1, Ana Belen Guisado-Gil1
1Unidad de Gestión Clínica Farmacia, Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez, Huelva, Spain.
Insights
Atypical cat scratch disease (CSD) in a child presented with neurological symptoms. Targeted antibiotic therapy with azithromycin and rifampin led to recovery, highlighting effective treatment options for pediatric CSD.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Bartonella henselae causes cat scratch disease (CSD).
- Atypical CSD presentations, particularly neurological manifestations in children, require specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old child experienced severe neurological symptoms, including status epilepticus and loss of consciousness, initially treated as a central nervous system infection.
- Serological confirmation of Bartonella henselae infection prompted a shift to targeted antibiotic therapy.
Findings:
- The patient's neurological symptoms improved with targeted antibiotic treatment.
- Recurrence of seizures after initial treatment necessitated reintroduction of antiepileptics and antibiotics, indicating the complexity of managing neurological CSD.
- A combination regimen of azithromycin and rifampin was ultimately effective in achieving recovery.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering Bartonella henselae in pediatric neurological emergencies.
- The successful use of azithromycin and rifampin provides valuable insights into antibiotic strategies for atypical CSD with neurological involvement.
- Further research into optimal treatment durations and regimens for pediatric neurological CSD is warranted.
What Is Known And Objectives:
Bartonella henselae is the etiologic agent of "cat scratch disease (CSD)". We describe a case of atypical CSD in a paediatric patient and include a review of the antibiotic treatment for this disease.
Case Description:
A 2-year-old child, with convulsive status and loss of consciousness, was admitted to hospital. Several antiepileptics and antibiotics were prescribed due to suspected central nervous system infection. When serology revealed Bartonella henselae antibodies, targeted antibiotic therapy was initiated and symptoms improved. However, seizures reappeared days after finishing the treatment so antiepileptics and antibiotics were reintroduced.
What Is New And Conclusion:
A wide variety of antibiotic regimens have been used for the treatment of atypical CSD in paediatric patients. This report includes the case of a paediatric patient diagnosed with atypical CSD who presented neurological manifestations, and for which a regimen consisting of azithromycin and rifampin was employed to achieve recovery.
