Cat Scratch Fever
What are the complications of cat scratch fever?
There are several possible, but rare, complications of cat scratch fever.
Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy is a brain disease that can occur when the bacteria spread to the brain. In some cases, encephalopathy results in permanent brain damage or death.
Neuroretinitis
Neuroretinitis is an inflammation of the
optic nerve and
retina. It causes
blurred vision. The inflammation can occur when the bacteria responsible for cat scratch fever travels to the eye. Vision usually improves after the infection is gone.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection in the bones, which can result in bone damage.
In some cases, the bone damage is so severe that amputation is necessary.
Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome
Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome is an eye infection with symptoms similar to
pink eye. Cat scratch fever is one of the most common causes of this syndrome. It may result from
B. henselae entering the eye directly, or from the bacteria traveling through the bloodstream to the eye. The syndrome usually responds well to antibiotic treatment. In rare cases, surgery is necessary to remove infected tissue from the eye.