Cats are great companions for children and families. But cats are also a major reservoir for Bartonella henselae (Bh), an intracellular Gram-negative bacillus recognised as the causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD). Up to half of domestic cats have antibodies against Bh.1 They are contaminated through cat fleas and transmit Bh to humans by saliva and scratches. Kittens, outdoor cats and cats infested with fleas represent the main vectors for human infection.
