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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cat scratch disease was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near cat scratch disease

Cite this Entry

“Cat scratch disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cat%20scratch%20disease. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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

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