AbstractCat–scratch disease (CSD) is a common cause of chronic lymphadenopathy (especially regional) that primarily affects children and adolescents. The clinical diagnosis of CSD is based on the presence of three of four criteria, which may inciude a positive CSD skin test. Usuaily a benign, self–limiting disease, CSD may sometimes have atypical manifestations and serious complications, particuiarly in tmmunocompromised hosts. Cat–scratch disease is now known to be caused by a smail, gram–negative, pleomorphic bacterium. Antibiotics are dramatically effective against CSD in immunocompromised patients, and are of proven benefit in typical cases. Most patients recover with only symptomatic treatment. This article reviews the history of CSD research, oiinicai features of typical and atypical CSD, and current topics of interest in CSD research, especiaily in the areas of diagnosis and tr