Disseminated cat-scratch disease: Detection ofRochalimaea henselae in affected tissue

An immunocompetent 9-year-old boy with disseminated catscratch disease involving spleen, cervical and abdominal lymph nodes, skull, and one clavicle is reported. Antibodies toRochalimaea quintana andR. henselae were detected, at increasing, then decreasing concentration. DNA extracted from the biopsied skull lesion was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and hybridized with species-specific oligonucleotides proving the presence ofR. henselae in affected tissue. Our findings suggest thatR. henselea plays a pathogenic role in cat-scratch disease.