[Bartonella henselae myositis: case report in an adolescent]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric infectious diseases
• Rheumatology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Infectious myositis is common in children, presenting with muscle pain and weakness.
• Bartonella henselae, the cause of cat scratch disease, can lead to systemic manifestations.

Observation:

• An adolescent presented with severe myalgia, malaise, weight loss, and splenomegaly after cat contact.
• Imaging revealed inflammatory myositis, splenic lesions, and possible retinal vasculitis.

Findings:

• Initial antibiotics improved symptoms but not inflammatory markers.
• A diagnosis of Bartonella henselae infection was confirmed by clinical presentation (myositis, chorioretinitis, splenic abscess) and positive IgG.
• Combined oral antibiotic therapy (azithromycin and rifampicin) resolved all clinical and radiological findings.

Implications:

• This case highlights Bartonella henselae as a potential cause of severe myositis and systemic illness in adolescents.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes.
• Multisystemic involvement necessitates comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and tailored treatment strategies.