Bartonella henselae bacteraemia in domestic cats from Auckland

Authors: Joseph AK, Robson JM, Morris AJ, Wood CW, Paul SL
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 45, Issue 5, pp 185-187, Oct 1997
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Protozoa, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Public health, Zoonosis
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Bartonella henselaecauses most cases of cat scratch disease, a self-limited localised lymphadenopathy illness of humans. Bartonella henselae also causes disseminated cutaneous and visceral disease in immunocompromised people. Cat blood (1-5 ml) collected from cats in the Auckland area was processed and plated on to 5% sheep blood brain heart infusion agar and incubated at 35°C in 5% CO₂ for 14 days. Bartonella henselae was identified by colony morphology, Gram`s stain, twitching motility, biochemical tests and molecular methods. Eight of 48 cats (17%) had Bartonella bacteraemia. Species-specific probes and biochemical profiles identified all isolates as B. henselae. Infected cats pose a risk to humans they lick, scratch or bite. People should be made aware of the risk cats pose.

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