Bartonella: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
A 9-year-old boy presents with a low-grade fever and enlarged, tender lymph nodes in his neck. His mother reports he was recently scratched by their kitten. Which of the following is the most likely etiological agent responsible for his symptoms?
A. Borrelia burgdorferi
B. Bartonella henselae
C. Rickettsia rickettsii
D. Ehrlichia chaffeensis
E. Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Answer and topic summary
The answer is B. Bartonella henselae.
Bartonella henselae is the causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD), the most common form of bartonellosis in the United States. CSD is characterized by a history of cat exposure (especially kittens), low-grade fever, and regional lymphadenopathy.
Incorrect Options
- Borrelia burgdorferi: Causes Lyme disease, which presents with erythema migrans rash, fever, fatigue, and headache.
- Rickettsia rickettsii: Causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, characterized by fever, headache, and a rash that starts on the wrists and ankles.
- Ehrlichia chaffeensis: Causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis, characterized by fever, headache, myalgia, and rash.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum: Causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis, characterized by fever, headache, myalgia, and rarely, rash.
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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
PANCE Blueprint Infectious Disease ⇒ Bacterial Disease ⇒ Bartonella
