ABSTRACT

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a benign and self-limiting infectious disease caused by Bartonella henselae. CSD is an important cause of infectious lymphadenopathies and the most common involvement sites are axillary, cervical, preauricular and submandibular lymph node groups. The infection usually occurs in children and young adults who have a history of contact with cats. In this report, we present a previously healthy 42-year-old female presenting with submandibular gland infection and purulent drainage resistant to antibiotics. Infection was succesfully cured after surgical excision of the submandibular gland and the diagnosis of CSD was made on the basis of histolopathological findings of the surgical specimen. (Gazi Med J 2011; 22: 91-3)