[Cat-scratch disease. Review of eight adult patients hospitalized for fever or adenopathy].

BACKGROUND

Cat-scratch disease is common among children. Among adults the disease is less often considered in the differential diagnosis of enlarged lymph nodes and fever.

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical and laboratory features of eight patients with cat-scratch disease.

METHODS

Review of the medical records of eight patients (aged 22 to 57 years, six males) with a serological diagnosis of cat-scratch disease (an IgG titer over 1:256, by immunofluorescence).

RESULTS

Only five patients recalled having had contact with cats. Seven had fever and weight loss. Six had excessive sweating and five had chills. Seven had painfully enlarged lymph nodes mainly in submandibular and axillary regions. All had an increased C reactive protein and six had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Five had leukocytosis and four an elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase. The disease subsided in all, even in one patient that did not receive antimicrobials.

CONCLUSIONS

Cat-scratch disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with lymph adenitis and fever.