Peripheral neurological involvement due to Bartonella henselae in an immunocompetent adolescent: a case report and literature review

• We report a rare case of meningoradiculitis associated with Bartonella henselae infection. • The clinical presentation combined facial diplegia, distal paresthesia, absent deep tendon reflexes and CSF pleocytosis. • A systematic literature review identified 20 published cases of peripheral neurological involvement. • This case expands the clinical spectrum of cat scratch disease and highlights diagnostic challenges This report describes a rare case of post-infectious meningoradiculitis caused by Bartonella henselae in a healthy 17-year-old male. The patient presented with bilateral peripheral facial palsy , paresthesia and absent deep tendon reflexes, following axillary lymphadenopathy related to cat scratches. Lumbar puncture showed lymphocytic pleocytosis, and serological results showed high titers of both IgG and IgM for Bartonella henselae . Electroneuromyography revealed prolonged F waves. Treatment included intravenous immunoglobulins and doxycycline, with gradual clinical improvement. A systematic literature review identified 20 cases of peripheral neurological involvement associated with Bartonella henselae , highlighting the diversity of neurological manifestations beyond encephalitis and neuroretinitis. This case illustrates the importance of considering Bartonella henselae in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory radiculopathies, especially in individuals who have had contact with cats and when more common causes are ruled out.