Cat scratch disease

From Libre Pathology
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Cat scratch disease, also cat scratch fever, is an uncommon pathology of the lymph node.

Cat scratch disease
Diagnosis in short

Cat scratch disease. H&E stain.

LM necrotizing granulomas with neutrophils and star-shaped (stellate), +/-multinucleated giant cells, microorganisms consistent with B. henselae
LM DDx sporotrichosis, lymphogranuloma venereum, tularemia
Stains Warthin-Starry stain +ve
IHC B. henselae +ve
Site lymph node - see lymph node pathology

Clinical history contact with cats
Signs fever, lymphadenopathy
Prevalence rare
Prognosis benign
Clin. DDx other causes of lymphadenopathy, e.g. lymphoma

General

  • Infection caused Bartonella henselae,[1] a gram-negative bacillus (0.3-1.0 x 0.6-3.0 micrometers) in chains, clumps, or singular.[2]
  • Treatment: antibiotics.

Clinical

Features:[3]

  • Usually unilateral lymphadenopathy.
    • May be disseminated in individuals with immune dysfunction.
  • Contact with cats.

Gross

  • Lymphadenopathy - usu. unlitateral.

Micrograph

Features:[3]

  • Necrotizing granulomas with:
    • Neutrophils present in microabscess (necrotic debris) - key feature.
      • Microabscesses often described as "stellate" (star-shaped).
  • +/-Multinucleated giant cells.
  • Microorganism consistent with B. henselae.

Notes:

  • May involve capsule or perinodal tissue.

DDx of stellate abscess in lymph nodes - cat split:[5]

Images

www:

Stains

IHC

  • B. henselae IHC stain +ve -- bacilli - diagnostic.

See also

References

  1. Jerris, RC.; Regnery, RL. (1996). "Will the real agent of cat-scratch disease please stand up?". Annu Rev Microbiol 50: 707-25. doi:10.1146/annurev.micro.50.1.707. PMID 8905096.
  2. Ioachim, Harry L; Medeiros, L. Jeffrey (2008). Ioachim's Lymph Node Pathology (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 110. ISBN 978-0781775960.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Ioachim, Harry L; Medeiros, L. Jeffrey (2008). Ioachim's Lymph Node Pathology (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 113. ISBN 978-0781775960.
  4. Asano, S. (2012). "Granulomatous lymphadenitis.". J Clin Exp Hematop 52 (1): 1-16. PMID 22706525.
  5. URL: http://www.dermpathmd.com/mnemonics/mnemonics_dermatopathology.htm. Accessed on: 23 September 2011.