How Long Does the Bacteremia Last?
This has not yet been determined, but various studies have shown detectable bacteremia for as long as a year or more. There is evidence that levels of bacteremia- wax and wane, so the organism may not always be present at a culturable level. If B. henselae Is Only in the Cat’s, Blood, How Can It Be Transmitted by a Scratch or Bite? There are at least two plausible theories about this. One is that the bacteria get into the mouth from the blood, e.g., from teething or gum irritations, and contaminate the saliva. From there the organism could be transmitted to a human by a bite, or it could be transferred to claws when the cat grooms itself, and then transmitted by a scratch. Another possibility is flea-mediated transmission. Flea bites may well be the means of cat-to-cat transmission of B. henselae. Experimental studies have shown that the cat flea readily acquires B. henselae from infected cats and can transmit the infection to uninfected animals. This is not likely to be the primary me
