Cat scratch fever natural history, complications, and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]

It may take 7 to 14 days, or as long as two months, before symptoms appear. Most cases are benign and self-limiting, but lymphadenopathy may persist for several months after other symptoms disappear. In temperate climates, most cases occur in fall and winter. The disease usually resolves spontaneously, with or without treatment, in one month. In immunocompromised patients more severe complications sometimes occur.

Possible complications of Cat scratch fever include:

• Uveitis
• Endocarditis
• Aseptic meningitis
• Osteomyelitis
• Acute encephalopathy

The prognosis is generally favorable. Patients with normal immune system recover without treatment and those who are immunocompromised will recover with antibiotic use.

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