From the Guidelines
Antibiotics are not always necessary for cat scratches, but may be required in certain cases, such as when the scratch becomes infected or in individuals with weakened immune systems. When it comes to cat scratch disease, caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria, treatment with antimicrobial agents has had variable results, but a study published in 2014 in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal found that azithromycin was effective in reducing lymph node size in patients with cat scratch disease 1. Some key points to consider include:
- Most cat scratches heal on their own with basic wound care, including washing with soap and water and applying an antiseptic.
- Signs of infection include increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pain, pus, or red streaks extending from the wound, and if infection occurs, antibiotics may be necessary.
- The recommended dose of azithromycin for patients weighing ≥45.5 kg is 500 mg on day 1, then 250 mg once daily for 4 additional days; for those weighing <45.5 kg, the dose is 10 mg/kg orally on day 1, then 5 mg/kg on days 2–5, as per the 2014 guidelines 1.
- People with weakened immune systems should consult a doctor even for minor cat scratches, as they are at higher risk for complications.
- Cat scratch disease may develop 3-14 days after a scratch and requires antibiotic treatment, and diagnosis may be difficult due to the fastidious nature of the organism, but serological testing and PCR can support the diagnosis 1.
From the Research
Antibiotic Treatment for Cat Scratch
- The provided studies do not directly address the need for antibiotics in the case of a cat scratch 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The studies focus on various antibiotic treatments for different infections, such as sinusitis 2, properties and usage of amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid 3, combination therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-associated urinary tract infections 4, and treatment of urinary tract infections 5.
- There is no specific information on the treatment of cat scratches, which are typically associated with Bartonella henselae infection.
- It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of cat scratch disease, as the need for antibiotics may vary depending on the individual case.