A neurologist has warned cat owners to take scratches seriously after treating a teenager with a rare bacterial infection that can lead to brain damage.
Dr Baibing Chen, known online as Dr Bing, described the case of a teenage patient who arrived at hospital with confusion, severe headaches and difficulty walking. Her parents said she had been unusually tired and clumsy, and her condition worsened until she could barely stand.
Initial tests found no definitive evidence of a stroke, meningitis or autoimmune disease, and she later developed decreased vision in one eye. However, doctors noticed scratches on her arm from a newly adopted kitten, leading to a diagnosis of Bartonella, the bacterium that causes cat scratch disease.
Most people with the infection only experience mild symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever and fatigue, but in rare cases it can affect the nervous system and eyes, leading to brain damage and painful vision loss. The condition is treatable with antibiotics, and symptoms usually improve.
Dr Chen stressed that people should not be afraid of cats but should be aware of the risks. He advised telling a doctor if a scratch, bite or lick is followed by persistent headaches, confusion, balance problems or vision changes, as these small details can make a huge difference in diagnosis.
Cat scratch disease is transmitted through scratches, bites, or licks of open wounds, and is contracted from cats infected with the bacteria via flea bites. Symptoms typically appear three to ten days after a scratch. Prevention includes avoiding bites and scratches, not letting cats lick wounds, and keeping cats indoors to reduce their risk of flea bites.
