Bartonella-Associated Transverse Myelitis

Abstract

Each year in the United States, 500 patients are hospitalized for cat-scratch disease, caused by Bartonella henselae infection. We report a case of rare but serious neurologic B. henselae infection. When typical features of cat-scratch disease occur with neurologic findings, Bartonella infection should be suspected and diagnostic testing should be performed.

Keywords

• myelitis
• transverse myelitis
• Bartonella henselae
• cat-scratch disease
• bacteria
• zoonoses