[Cat-scratch disease and disease caused by Bartonella (Rochalimaea)].

The aetiology of cat scratch disease remains controversial since both Afipia felis and Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae have been isolated from diseased lymph nodes. Bartonella henselae, Bartonella (Rochalimaea) quintana and Bartonella (Rochalimaea) elizabethae cause endocarditis and Bartonella bacilliformis cause septicemia (Oroya's fever) in non-immunocompromized patients, and Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana cause fever, bacillary angiomatosis, and visceral peliosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Bartonella quintana is the historical agent of trench fever and we recently isolated it from chronic adenopathy. The diagnosis of Afipia felis and Bartonella infections relies upon the isolation of the bacterium from blood, node tissue after inoculation of cell cultures systems and molecular identification, and upon the serology. In vitro both species are sensitive to aminoglycosides, and we recommend aminoglycosides be included in antibiotic regimens for treating cat scratch disease and Bartonella infections.