Cat scratch disease due to Bartonella henselae infection mimicking parotid malignancy.

An unusual Bartonella henselae infection presenting clinically as a putative parotid cancer was diagnosed based on serological tests, histomorphology and amplification of a 16S-rDNA sequence of Bartonella henselae. The patient improved greatly upon antibiotic treatment and did not require surgery. Although uncommon, infection with Bartonella spp., particularly Bartonella henselae, should be included in the differential diagnosis of parotid tumors.