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cat scratch disease
noun
: an illness that is characterized by swelling of the lymph glands, fever, and chills and is caused chiefly by a bacterium (Bartonella henselae synonym Rochalimaea henselae) transmitted especially by a cat scratch
called also cat scratch fever
Examples of cat scratch disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Around 2003, when the last cat disease report was issued, researchers learned the cat scratch disease was carried by fleas, adding another reason to prevent these biting pests.
—Leslie Nemo, Discover Magazine, 16 Oct. 2019
Bacterial infections can include cat scratch disease, campylobacter, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and salmonella.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2022
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Word History
First Known Use
1952, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of cat scratch disease was
in 1952
Dictionary Entries Near cat scratch disease
Cite this Entry
“Cat scratch disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cat%20scratch%20disease. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
cat scratch disease
noun
: an illness that is characterized by chills, slight fever, and swelling of the lymph glands and is caused chiefly by a gram-negative bacterium of the genus Bartonella (B. henselae synonym Rochalimaea henselae) transmitted especially by the scratch of a cat
called also cat scratch fever
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