Physicians, veterinarians and public health officials are being asked how to identify humans and cats infected with Rochalimaea henselae and what steps to take to prevent infection. Because complete scientific data are lacking, interim guidelines based on the best available information are needed to assist medical professionals in obtaining and interpreting laboratory tests and providing standard advice to both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. R. henselae has recently been identified as a cause of human disease, most commonly bacillary angiomatosis in the immunocompromised and cat scratch disease in healthy persons. The factors that have been associated with human disease are exposure to young cats, cat scratches, exposure to fleas and the young age of cat scratch victims.
Cats can be simultaneously antibody positive and bacteremic with no signs of illness.
Research is being conducted to identify the reservoir and actual mechanism of infection, as well as the impact of antibiotic treatment on infected cats, and cat vaccine development.