cat scratch disease

noun

: an illness that is characterized by swelling of the lymph glands, fever, and chills and is caused chiefly by a bacterium (Bartonella henselae synonym Rochalimaea henselae) transmitted especially by a cat scratch

called also cat scratch fever

Examples of cat scratch disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Around 2003, when the last cat disease report was issued, researchers learned the cat scratch disease was carried by fleas, adding another reason to prevent these biting pests. —Leslie Nemo, Discover Magazine, 16 Oct. 2019

Bacterial infections can include cat scratch disease, campylobacter, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and salmonella. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cat scratch disease

noun

: an illness that is characterized by chills, slight fever, and swelling of the lymph glands and is caused chiefly by a gram-negative bacterium of the genus Bartonella (B. henselae synonym Rochalimaea henselae) transmitted especially by the scratch of a cat

called also cat scratch fever