Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (598 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A self-limiting bacterial infection of the regional lymph nodes caused by afipia felis, a gram-negative bacterium recently identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by bartonella henselae. It usually arises one or more weeks following a feline scratch, with raised inflammatory nodules at the site of the scratch being the primary symptom.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Cat-Scratch Diseases; Inoculation Lymphoreticulosis; Inoculation Lymphoreticuloses; Lymphoreticuloses, Inoculation; Lymphoreticulosis, Inoculation; Inoculative Lymphoreticulosis; Inoculative Lymphoreticuloses; Lymphoreticuloses, Inoculative.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Bartonella Infections; Lymphadenitis
Related concepts
- Afipia
- Bartonella Henselae
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 2,261 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Cat-Scratch Disease” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 216 of them (9.6%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 1,171 records.
Reviews account for 251 records (11.1%) and meta-analyses for 0. Randomized controlled trials number 2 (0.1%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 1,171 |
| 2000-2009 | 522 |
| 2010-2019 | 352 |
| 2020 onward | 216 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 251 | 11.1% |
| Meta-analyses | 0 | 0.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 2 | 0.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Cat-Scratch Disease"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in infectious diseases
Infectious disease evidence combines microbiology, epidemiology and clinical trials. Laboratory studies identify pathogens and how they cause harm; surveillance and outbreak investigations describe who is affected and how infection spreads; trials establish whether treatments and vaccines work. Results depend on place and time, because pathogens evolve and resistance patterns and population immunity change. Check when and where the data were collected, how cases were defined and how up to date the evidence is.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat-Scratch Disease in the United States, 2005-2013 | 2016 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 101 | cc by PMID 27648778 · DOI · PMC5038427 |
| Lymph node biopsy specimens and diagnosis of cat-scratch disease | 2006 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 56 | cc by PMID 17073081 · DOI · PMC3294744 |
| Atypical Manifestations of Cat-Scratch Disease, United States, 2005-2014 | 2020 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 51 | cc by PMID 32568056 · DOI · PMC7323523 |
| Axillary cat-scratch disease: A case report and literature review | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42469982 · DOI · PMC13384629 |
Cat-Scratch Disease in the United States, 2005-2013 [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is mostly preventable.
- Closing excerpt
- , flea control for cats) are particularly helpful in southern states and in households with children.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (147 words)
Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is mostly preventable. More information about the epidemiology and extent of CSD would help direct prevention efforts to those at highest risk. To gain such information, we reviewed the 2005-2013 MarketScan national health insurance claims databases and identified patients <65 years of age with an inpatient admission or outpatient visit that included a CSD code from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. Incidence of CSD was highest among those who lived in the southern United States (6.4 cases/100,000 population) and among children 5-9 years of age (9.4 cases/100,000 population). Inpatients were significantly more likely than outpatients to be male and 50-64 years of age. We estimate that each year, 12,000 outpatients are given a CSD diagnosis and 500 inpatients are hospitalized for CSD. Prevention measures (e.g., flea control for cats) are particularly helpful in southern states and in households with children.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 27648778 · DOI · PMC5038427
Lymph node biopsy specimens and diagnosis of cat-scratch disease [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- We report microbiologic analysis of 786 lymph node biopsy specimens from patients with suspected cat-scratch disease (CSD).
- Closing excerpt
- Histologic analysis of lymph node biopsy specimens should be routinely performed because some patients might have a concurrent malignant disease or mycobacteriosis.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (140 words)
We report microbiologic analysis of 786 lymph node biopsy specimens from patients with suspected cat-scratch disease (CSD). The specimens were examined by standard, cell culture, and molecular methods. Infectious agents were found in samples from 391 (49.7%) of 786 patients. The most commonly identified infectious agent was Bartonella henselae (245 patients, 31.2%), the agent of CSD. Mycobacteriosis was diagnosed in 54 patients (6.9%) by culture and retrospectively confirmed by using a specific real-time PCR assay. Neoplasm was diagnosed in 181 specimens suitable for histologic analysis (26.0%) from 47 patients. Moreover, 13 patients with confirmed Bartonella infections had concurrent mycobacteriosis (10 cases) or neoplasm (3 cases). A diagnosis of CSD does not eliminate a diagnosis of mycobacteriosis or neoplasm. Histologic analysis of lymph node biopsy specimens should be routinely performed because some patients might have a concurrent malignant disease or mycobacteriosis.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 17073081 · DOI · PMC3294744
Atypical Manifestations of Cat-Scratch Disease, United States, 2005-2014 [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Atypical manifestations that can be severe and difficult to diagnosis develop in 5%-20% of patients with cat-scratch disease.
- Closing excerpt
- A more comprehensive understanding of atypical cat-scratch disease can improve patient diagnosis and potentially elucidate pathophysiology of the disease.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (150 words)
Atypical manifestations that can be severe and difficult to diagnosis develop in 5%-20% of patients with cat-scratch disease. To clarify the epidemiology of atypical cat-scratch disease in the United States, we analyzed data from the 2005-2014 MarketScan national health insurance claims databases by using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification, codes for cat-scratch disease and selected atypical manifestations: retinitis/neuroretinitis, conjunctivitis, neuritis, encephalitis, hepatosplenic disease, osteomyelitis, erythema nodosum, and endocarditis. Atypical cat-scratch disease accounted for 1.5% of all cases, resulting in an average annual incidence of 0.7 cases/100,000 population. Atypical cat-scratch disease was associated with increased risk for hospitalization (risk ratios 8.77, 95% CI 6.56-11.72) and occurred most often in female patients 10-14 years of age. Ocular (48.7%), hepatosplenic (24.6%), and neurologic (13.8%) manifestations were most common among patients. A more comprehensive understanding of atypical cat-scratch disease can improve patient diagnosis and potentially elucidate pathophysiology of the disease.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32568056 · DOI · PMC7323523
Axillary cat-scratch disease: A case report and literature review [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- RationaleCat-scratch disease (CSD) typically presents as self-limited regional lymphadenopathy following a cat scratch or exposure.
- Closing excerpt
- Evaluation of confirmed cases should also include an assessment for potential extra-nodal spread to sites such as the liver, colon, and retina.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (161 words)
RationaleCat-scratch disease (CSD) typically presents as self-limited regional lymphadenopathy following a cat scratch or exposure. Its clinical features can mimic malignancy or tuberculosis, especially in elderly patients, leading to potential misdiagnosis. This report underscores the importance of considering CSD in elderly individuals with unexplained fever and atypical lymphadenopathy.Patient concernsA 67-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of left axillary swelling, accompanied by pain and fever for 3 days.DiagnosesAxillary CSD was confirmed based on clinical presentation, exposure history, and lymph node biopsy findings.InterventionsThe patient received compound sulfamethoxazole tablets as anti-infective therapy.OutcomesTwo weeks post-treatment, the patient was afebrile, and the surgical incision had healed.LessonsThis case highlights the diagnostic challenges of CSD in the elderly. Early lymph node biopsy and careful elicitation of exposure history are essential to avoid misdiagnosis, particularly with malignancy. Timely intervention can prevent unnecessary procedures and improve prognosis. Evaluation of confirmed cases should also include an assessment for potential extra-nodal spread to sites such as the liver, colon, and retina.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42469982 · DOI · PMC13384629
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Ocular bartonellosis [5]
- Research article The expanding spectrum of Bartonella infections: II. Cat-scratch disease [6]
- Research article Cat scratch disease and other zoonotic Bartonella infections [7]
- Research article Cat-scratch Disease [8]
- Research article Cat scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, and other infections due to Rochalimaea [9]
- Research article Ocular manifestations of cat-scratch disease [10]
References
- Nelson CA, Saha S, Mead PS. Cat-Scratch Disease in the United States, 2005-2013. . 2016. PMID 27648778 · DOI · PMC5038427
- Rolain JM, Lepidi H, Zanaret M, Triglia JM, Michel G, Thomas PA, et al.. Lymph node biopsy specimens and diagnosis of cat-scratch disease. . 2006. PMID 17073081 · DOI · PMC3294744
- Nawrocki CC, Max RJ, Marzec NS, Nelson CA. Atypical Manifestations of Cat-Scratch Disease, United States, 2005-2014. . 2020. PMID 32568056 · DOI · PMC7323523
- Chen C, Li M. Axillary cat-scratch disease: A case report and literature review. . 2026. PMID 42469982 · DOI · PMC13384629
- Cunningham ET, Koehler JE. Ocular bartonellosis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2000. PMID 11020414 · DOI
- Bass JW, Vincent JM, Person DA. The expanding spectrum of Bartonella infections: II. Cat-scratch disease. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997. PMID 9041596 · DOI
- Chomel BB, Boulouis HJ, Breitschwerdt EB. Cat scratch disease and other zoonotic Bartonella infections. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004. PMID 15112775 · DOI
- Klotz SA, Ianas V, Elliott SP. Cat-scratch Disease. Am Fam Physician. 2011. PMID 21243990
- Adal KA, Cockerell CJ, Petri WA. Cat scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, and other infections due to Rochalimaea. N Engl J Med. 1994. PMID 8164704 · DOI
- Ormerod LD, Dailey JP. Ocular manifestations of cat-scratch disease. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 1999. PMID 10537781 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
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