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Cat scratch disease: the rare role of Afipia felis
M Giladi1, B Avidor, Y Kletter
1The Bernard Pridan Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases, Ichilov Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. giladi@tasmc.health.gov.il
Abstract:
Since its isolation in 1988, Afipia felis has been associated with cat scratch disease (CSD) in only one report and its role in CSD has been questioned. We have cultured A. felis from a lymph node of a patient with CSD. 16S rRNA gene sequencing, DNA relatedness studies, fatty acid analysis, and PCR of the A. felis ferredoxin gene showed that the isolate is identical to the previously reported A. felis isolate. To determine the role of A. felis in CSD, PCR of the 16S rRNA gene followed by hybridizations with specific probes were performed with lymph node specimens from CSD patients. All 32 specimens tested positive for Bartonella henselae and negative for A. felis. We conclude that A. felis is a rare cause of CSD. Diagnostic tests not conducive to the identification of A. felis might cause the diagnosis of CSD due to A. felis to be missed.
Insights
Afipia felis is rarely a cause of cat scratch disease (CSD). While cultured from one patient, further testing found no A. felis DNA in 32 CSD lymph node samples, suggesting Bartonella henselae is the primary pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Afipia felis, isolated in 1988, has a questionable association with cat scratch disease (CSD).
- Previous research linked A. felis to CSD in only one reported case.
Observation:
- A. felis was successfully cultured from a lymph node of a patient diagnosed with CSD.
- Molecular analyses, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA relatedness studies, confirmed the isolate as A. felis.
Findings:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of 32 CSD lymph node specimens revealed Bartonella henselae in all samples.
- None of the 32 CSD lymph node specimens tested positive for A. felis DNA.
- This suggests A. felis plays a minimal role in the etiology of CSD.
Implications:
- The study concludes that Afipia felis is a rare causative agent of cat scratch disease.
- Current diagnostic methods may overlook A. felis infections, potentially leading to missed diagnoses.
- Further research is needed to understand the precise role, if any, of A. felis in human infections.