The Top Google Scholar Article about "Domestic Cat"

When you search in Google scholar under the term “domestic cat" you are presented with an article about cat scratch disease and its prevalence and causes in the Greater San Francisco Bay Region Of Northern California. Google Scholar is a large database of scientific articles that Google presents as search results.

Photo by Daniel-Gasienica

So Google thinks that cat scratch disease in San Francisco, from a scientific point of view, is the most important piece of information that people are searching for. I doubt that, to be honest, but it is fun to see what Google comes up with.

The study, which was conducted in 1994 came to the conclusion that four patients who were diagnosed with a bacterial infection due to cat scratch disease had prolonged contact with 7 pet cats.

The species of bacteria called Rochalimaea henselae (R henselae) caused cat scratch lesions in these patients. A “lesion" is a break the skin in effect. It is an abnormality in the skin.

The 7 cats concerned were found to have the bacteria, which causes cat scratch fever, in their blood. This is called "bacteremic with R henselae".

The bacteria was also detected in fleas taken from an infected cat. R henselae was found in 41% of pet and impounded cats in the Greater San Francisco Bay Region.

The study concluded that the domestic cat serves as a major persistent reservoir for the bacteria that causes cat scratch disease and these cats have the bacteria in their blood but have no symptoms themselves that might be caused by the bacteria. These cats are asymptomatic.

The scientists also concluded that immunocompromised individuals, meaning people with HIV, may become seriously infected with this disease if they are unfortunate enough to be scratched or bitten by a cat carrying this bacteria.

They suggested that treatment of infected cats with antibiotics together with a control of the cat flea are “potential strategies for decreasing human exposure to R henselae".

Well there you are, for what it is worth. The study is stating what we now already know that if you get scratched or bitten by a cat you may acquire cat scratch disease which is also called cat scratch fever. The answer is to avoid being bitten or scratched and that is in the hands of the person involved.

There is never a reason to be scratched or bitten if one is sufficiently careful and observant and knowledgeable about cat behaviour.

Abstract and study summary.

Picture of Cat Scratch Fever

Here are two pictures of cat scratch fever showing inflammation of the arm. Cat scratch fever is caused by an organism called Bartonella henselae. A point of note: cat scratch fever affects both the cat and the person, who has been scratched or bitten. A picture of cat scratch fever should, really, show a picture of a cat with the condition. However, I believe that people want to see pictures of people.

Picture of cat scratch fever. Author unknown, please advise.

Important note: It is rare, and this condition should not be used against cats by people who advocate declawing and the killing of cats etc.

Picture of cat scratch fever on a person's arm.
photo ©Daniel-Gasienica

If the person is to develop the disease the following happens: three to ten days after the scratch a sore area develops at the site. This is shown in the top picture. There may be a "red streak up the arm or leg".  This would appear to be the case in the second picture. In a small percentage of cases the person develops other symptoms such as fever, headache and fatigue. Rarely symptoms are more serious.