Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in patients with cat-scratch disease

• Published in: Nuclear medicine Vol. 45; no. 4; p. 160
• Main Authors: Krause, R, Piswanger-Soelkner, C, Lipp, R W, Daxböck, F, Schnedl, W J, Hoier, S, Reisinger, E C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.01.2006
• Subjects: Animals; Carrier State; Cat-Scratch Disease - complications; Cat-Scratch Disease - transmission; Cats; Humans; Lymphadenitis - diagnostic imaging; Lymphadenitis - etiology; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Radionuclide Imaging; Receptors, Somatostatin - analysis; Receptors, Somatostatin - genetics; Skin Tests - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0029-5566
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1625110

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy images various neoplastic, granulomatous, and auto-immune diseases. Cat-scratch disease in an infectious granulomatous disease usually affecting the lymphnodes. It is not known whether cat-scratch disease provides positive somatostatin receptor scintigrams. Twelve patients with lymphadenitis and suspected cat-scratch disease were investigated by immunofluorescence antibody testing and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. Suppurated lymphnodes were extracted or drained and Bartonella henselae specific PCR was then performed. Eleven of 12 patients showed IgG antibodies against B. henselae. SRS showed positive scintigraphic results in 6 of 11 patients with CSD. B. henselae DNA was detected in tissue of lymphnodes from 4 of 5 patients with lymphnode extraction or lymphnode drainage. SRS demonstrated positive scintigrams in all patients with a positive PCR. In one patient with suspected CSD SRS was negative as well as antibody testing. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy correlated with positive Bartonella henselae specific PCR tests and positive Bartonella henselae specific antibody tests in patients with CSD.