Polymerase chain reaction detection of Bartonella henselae bacteraemia in an immunocompetent child with cat-scratch disease

A case of Bartonella henselae bacteraemia is reported in an immunocompetent 8-year-old boy with cat-scratch disease. Serology to B. henselae, diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction, was positive. DNA was extracted from peripheral whole blood and amplified with specific primers targeting the htrA gene of B. henselae. A non-isotopic hybridization assay with a species-specific oligonucleotide probe was used to detect the amplified product. Conclusion The polymerase chain reaction can be used for the rapid laboratory diagnosis of bacteraemia in cat-scratch disease.