A pediatric case of cat scratch disease complicated by meningitis diagnosed by Metagenomic Next-generation Sequencing

Background While the clinical manifestations of cat scratch disease (CSD) can vary, the occurrence of meningitis in CSD patients is rare. Here we present a case of CSD complicated by meningitis associated with Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) . Case presentation: An 11-year-old child developed prolonged fever, accompanied by a mild cough and headache. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing identified B. henselae in the blood, and meningitis was confirmed through cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The patient was diagnosed with CSD complicated by meningitis and recovered after receiving antibiotic and prednisone therapies. Conclusion For children with CSD presenting with neurological symptoms, the presence of CSD meningitis must not be overlooked.