Cat-scratch Disease: Complement Fixation and Skin Test Results

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Abstract
Serological and skin testing data on a group of cat scratch disease patients are presented in an attempt to demonstrate some possible relationship to the psittacosis-lymphogranuloma venereum group of viruses. In addition, the results of skin testing patients with different batches of skin test antigen are also given. The data obtained indicate that the incidence of positive serological reactions with this group antigen is consistently higher than the control group. However, the percentage positive is not what would be expected from any direct causal relationship. The response of groups of individuals to different preparations of skin testing antigen was so variable, the results suggest that either more than one agent may be involved or marked strain variations must occur among the agents producing this clinical syndrome. In a small series of lymphogranuloma venereum patients, 2 of 5 did not respond with positive skin reactions when tested with cat scratch antigen and at least 2 of the remaining 3 responded in a manner open to questionable interpretation. In view of these findings, it is suggested that cat scratch disease may be due to several agents one of which is antigenically related to the psittacosis-lymphogranuloma venereum group of viruses.

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