Current knowledge ofBartonella species

Abstract

Bartonella species are now considered emerging pathogens. Of the 11 currently recognized species, four have been implicated in human disease, although only two have been encountered in Europe. Bartonella quintana infections are now being diagnosed among the urban homeless and deprived, manifesting as trench fever, and Bartonella henselae has been shown to be the causative agent of cat scratch disease. Both species also cause a variety of HIV-associated infections, including bacillary anglomatosis. However, perhaps the most significant presentation of bartonellae infection is culture-negative endocarditis. The epidemiologies of Bartonella infections are poorly understood; most Bartonella henselae infections are probably acquired from infected cats, either directly by contact with a cat or indirectly via fleas. No animal reservoir has been implicated for Bartonella quintana; however, infection can be transmitted via the human body louse. Diagnosis of Bartonella infections can be made using histological or microbiological methods. The demonstration of specific antibodies may be useful in some instances, although certainly not in all. Cultivation of Bartonella is difficult, as the bacteria are extremely fastidious. Polymerase chain reaction-based or immunological methods for the detection of bartonella in infected tissues have proven useful. Clinical relapse is often associated with Bartonella infections despite a wide range of prescribed regimens. Only aminoglycosides display in vitro bactericidal activity against intracellular Bartonella species; therefore, they are recommended for treatment of Bartonella infections.

Evaluation of intraspecies genetic variation within the 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene (groEL) of Bartonella species

“…Putative new isolates of Bartonella, based upon 16s rRNA and gltA sequence comparisons, are being identified in large numbers in rodent populations (Birtles & Raoult, 1996;Kosoy et al, 1997;Maurin et al, 1997). At present these new isolates, as well as many of the currently recognized species, require a more thorough phenotypic and genetic characterization.…”

“…The genetic characterization has included 16s rRNA (16s rRNA) and citrate synthase (gltA) phylogeny (Birtles & Raoult, 1996), DNA-DNA hybridization and G + C content (Birtles et al, 1995;Brenner et al, 1993;Daly et al, 1993;Lawson et al, 1996;Myers & Wisseman, 1980;Myers et al, 1979;Weiss et al, 1978). The phenotypic characterization involved fatty acid analysis (Westfall et al, 1984), nutrient and growth requirements (Weiss et al, 1982), host-vector relationships, morbidity or mortality of host, host immune response, growth characteristics (colony morphology), presence or absence of flagella, antigenic cross-reactivity and substrate utilization based upon commercial enzymic profiling systems (Maurin et al, 1997).…”

Bartonella Infection in Animals: Carriership, Reservoir Potential, Pathogenicity, and Zoonotic Potential for Human Infection

“…have been isolated from the blood of 42 and 62% of rodents, respectively (11,64). Strikingly, nearly 100% of deer sampled at a single point in In recent years, there have been several excellent reviews (2,25,73,75,87,88,100) and a text (98) detailing the clinical, diagnostic, pathophysiologic, and microbiologic aspects of Bartonella infection, with particular emphasis on human infection. However, collective recent observations have begun to support a role for Bartonella spp.…”

Predominant Outer Membrane Antigens of Bartonella henselae

“…In persons with a compromised immune system, such as human immunodeficiency virus patients, alcoholics, or organ transplant recipients, B. henselae infections are much more severe. The diseases caused by B. henselae in these patients include bacillary angiomatosis, peliosis hepatis, and endocarditis (24).…”