Cat-scratch syndrome, causes, peculiarities of treatment

Pets can infect a person with certain diseases, one of them is cat scratch syndrome.According to statistical data, half of the representatives of the feline genus are the bearers of this disease.Infect our beloved pet fleas, for the cats it is completely safe.People with the same cat scratch syndrome are in serious trouble.

Contents:

1. concept syndrome cat scratch
2. Ways of infection, symptoms
3. In what forms can proceed disease
4. Diagnostic Methods
5. Treatment
6. Preventive measures

concept syndrome cat scratch

Syndrome cat scratch referred toInfectious diseases - developing after getting the pathogen through a wound on the skin or mucous eyes.The causative agent is a gram-negative bartonella rod, which is contained in the saliva and claws of an infected cat.

This same disease is called: benign lymphoreticulosis, granuloma Mollare, cat scratch fever, felinosis.

The age of patients with Mollare granuloma varies between 2 and 60 years.Most often, the cat scratch syndrome suffers from children and adolescents who play with the cat for a long time.The disease is not contagious, from person to person is not transmitted.

Sometimes the family course of the disease occurs, with the cat bringing the infection to all family members.Autumn-winter period is the most probable time of infection.In this case, the cats themselves do not suffer from the infection, but are only carriers of the disease.

How infection occurs

Through a scratch or bite of a cat, the infection enters the body and causes an inflammatory reaction in the form of a primary affect.Infection can occur when licking a cat with wounds or abrasions on the human body.Further microbes reach the nearest lymph nodes and provoke the onset of inflammatory processes.Once in the blood, the causative agent of the infection diverges through the other organs of the human body.There are some factors that increase the risk of the disease: weakened immunity, HIV infection, acceptance of HA and alcohol abuse, stress.

It should be noted that the carrier of the disease can also be dogs, monkeys and other animals bitten by an infected flea.The fleas themselves can bite a person and cause disease.

Symptoms of the disease:

1. Formation of a papule( bubble) with cloudy contents on the site of the healed scratch in 5-14 days after the bacterial infection.
2. Inflammation of the lymph nodes closest to the wound.In 80% of cases, only one lymph node becomes inflamed.It increases in size by 3-6 cm, sometimes up to 10 cm, it becomes painful.
3. The patient feels weakness, drowsiness, headache and muscle pain, sweating.
4. In 20% of cases, the temperature is raised to 38-41 degrees.In most cases, it falls after 7-14 days, but sometimes takes on a wavy appearance.

In what forms can the disease occur

Granulem Mollare may have a typical or atypical leak:

1. A typical form of cat scratch syndrome is characterized by the appearance of a primary affect in the form of a papule in place of a scratch or bite.Lymphadenitis is manifested 2-3 weeks after infection.This is the most important, and sometimes the only symptom of the disease.Cervical, ulnar and axillary lymph nodes are affected most often.
2. Atypical forms of the disease are found only in 10% of patients.The cause of this manifestation of the disease is likely to be weakened immunity.Without proper and timely treatment, complications can occur in the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract, and the kidneys.
3. In case of eye injury.It manifests itself in the development of eye conjunctivitis.Characteristic of the formation of nodules and ulcers, accompanied by an increase in body temperature, an increase in the proximal lymph node( submaxillary or parotid) and general malaise.Edema and inflammation of the eye passes through 7-14 days without a negative effect on eyesight, and the disease can not recede up to six months.
4. The defeat of the nervous system in the form of polyneuritis, radiculitis, neuropathy, myelitis, meningitis, encephalitis occurs rarely.The manifestation of neurologic disorders begins 10-20 days after inflammation of the lymph nodes.
5. Lesion of internal organs.Inflammatory processes in the liver and spleen are accompanied by an increase in these organs, an increase in temperature, a change in the biochemical parameters of the blood.It is characteristic of the defeat of several groups of lymph nodes.
6. In carriers of HIV infection, the disease becomes generalized.Among the symptoms can be noted: increased fatigue, headache, fever, weight loss.Perhaps the manifestation of neurologic symptoms, such as impaired consciousness and behavior.For patients with AIDS, skin changes, similar to Kaposi's sarcoma, are characteristic.

Diagnostic methods

An infectious disease doctor deals with the diagnosis of such diseases.The association of damage caused by a cat with external symptoms of the disease helps to establish a diagnosis.It is confirmed by microbiological blood test, PCR test, lymph node biopsy or papules.In 9/10 infected positive results of skin tests with antigen after 3-4 weeks of the disease were noted.

A general blood test in a patient with cat scratch syndrome shows an increase in ESR( erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and eosinophil level.

Treatment

A typical form of the disease in mild form passes independently even without the use of medication after 1-3 months.The disease is benign.In this regard, treatment of severe symptoms is prescribed.In infants, felinosis can be asymptomatic, so when it appears on the body of marks of scratches or bites of a cat, it is recommended to take precautionary measures - to pass tests.

In case of a serious course of the disease, the doctor's help is needed, the tests will be required, then the doctor will prescribe the treatment.When complications are prescribed antibiotics, vasoconstrictive drugs, painkillers.Often prescribed drugs to strengthen the immune system.

Inflammation and suppuration of the lymph node can lead to its spontaneous dissection and fistula formation.Pus from the lymph node results in a yellow or yellow-green color.With prolonged inflammatory process, a puncture of the lymph node is necessary to remove pus.

Preventative measures

Observing a few simple recommendations will protect yourself and loved ones from infection:

1. Thorough hand washing after games with pets.
2. Playing with a furry pet you need to monitor his mood.Little kittens are more playful than adult cats and the chance of getting scratches and bites increases several times.
3. Children should not provoke a cat.It is necessary to explain to the child that the cat does not like it when it is pulled by the tail or wrapped in a blanket.
4. Regular visits to a veterinarian will make sure that the pet is healthy.
5. Permanent preventive maintenance of animals against fleas( a collar, shampoo or drops) is necessary.
6. Antiseptic treatment of scratches and bites.Wash the wound, treat with hydrogen peroxide or other disinfectants.
7. Avoid contact with street cats.Their non-grooming and non-sterility is the cause of many unpleasant diseases.

Benign lymphoreticulosis in a person of any age with good immunity can hardly be attributed to dangerous diseases, correct treatment always ends in complete recovery.Formed during treatment, immunity excludes the possibility of repeated infection.

But the complications caused by the disease can lead to a prolonged course of the disease and more serious consequences.All body systems may suffer.The complexity of treatment is due to the lack of drugs that can kill the bartonella wand.

It is effective to prescribe antibiotics( erythromycin, gentamicin, doxycilin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and others).

At the first signs of the disease, you need to seek help from a doctor.Try to remember the date when the scratches and bites of animals are done.This can help with the diagnosis.Observance of hygiene, systematic observation of pets at the veterinarian will reduce the risk of infection.

More information on cat scratch syndrome and prevention measures - on the video: