Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with fever and anemia linked to Bartonella infection
By Nivy, Ran et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2022·Koret School of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of a cat with presumed Bartonella henselae-associated immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, fever, and lymphadenitis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2.5-year-old male cat was brought to the vet with a fever and swollen lymph nodes that had been present for four months, despite previous antibiotic treatments. Blood tests showed a mild anemia, but the real issue was discovered when the vet performed a lymph node biopsy, which indicated an immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and identified a Bartonella henselae infection. The cat was treated with a combination of pradofloxacin and doxycycline, which successfully resolved the symptoms and cleared the infection. After treatment, the cat's fever and lymphadenopathy improved, and follow-up tests were negative for the bacteria.
People also search for: cat fever swollen lymph nodes treatment · immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in cats · Bartonella henselae cat symptoms
Abstract
A 2.5-year-old castrated male cat presented with fever and marked generalized lymphadenopathy of 4-months duration, despite treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate/marbofloxacin. Abnormalities were not detected on complete blood count, serum chemistry, and FIV/FeLV test apart from a borderline, non-regenerative anemia. Peripheral lymph node fine needle aspirations revealed a marked increase in the percentage of intermediate- and lymphoblastic-lymphocytes in addition to reactive macrophages. Three weeks after presentation, the cat developed a severe, regenerative, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) which responded to immunosuppressive therapy. Fever and lymphadenopathy persisted. Peripheral lymph nodes tested positive for Bartonella henselae DNA in real-time PCR assay and sequencing. Treatment with pradofloxacin and doxycycline resulted in resolution of clinical signs, and negative PCR tests. Despite its reported low pathogenicity, B. henselae infection should also be considered in cats with protracted unexplained fever, lymphadenitis, and IMHA. Furthermore, a combination of pradofloxacin and doxycycline might be considered in cats with bartonellosis given its apparent clinical efficacy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35385154/