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pachyderm · Dec 14, 2020 at 11:18 AM

'Cat Scratch' Bacteria Linked to Psychiatric Symptoms in People

Quote:

Evidence is mounting that certain bacteria spread by cat scratches and other animal exposures can sometimes have startling effects on our brain. In a new study, researchers detail a group of patients with psychiatric illness who simultaneously showed signs of infection from bacteria called Bartonella, including tell-tale skin lesions. However, a direct cause-and-effect link between the bacteria and worsening brain health still isn't conclusive, nor is it clear how often this may happen.

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Right now, though, it's important to emphasize this study alone doesn't prove that Bartonella can cause mental illness, nor how often this is happening if the connection is real.

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All of these questions will take more research to answer, which Breitschwerdt and his team plan to keep pursuing. One type of research they hope to get funding for is a case-control study, where people with these symptoms are compared to a large group of people with similar demographics but without the symptoms, which should help us understand whether Bartonella exposure is a key risk factor.

Maybe it's due to wild geese, instead...

Or maybe the idea was suggested by kittens observed chasing their tails...