What skin lesion is characteristically seen at the inoculation site in Bartonellosis?

• A. Urticaria
• B. Vesicular rash
• C. Palpable purpura
• D. Red-brown skin papule at inoculation site

Answer: (D)

Bartonellosis begins with a localized inflammatory lesion at the site of inoculation, typically from a scratch or bite. The characteristic lesion at that spot is a small red-brown papule on the skin, which may crust over as it heals. This inoculation papule appears before the regional lymphadenopathy that often develops days to weeks later. The other options describe skin findings not typical of the inoculation site in Bartonellosis: urticaria are transient wheals from allergic reactions, vesicular rash suggests blistering processes, and palpable purpura reflects vasculitis rather than a localized inoculation lesion. So the best description of the inoculation site lesion is a red-brown skin papule.