Outcome and Treatment of Bartonella Endocarditis

Abstract

Effective antibiotic therapy for Bartonella endocarditis should include an aminoglycoside prescribed for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Factors associated with the rapid emergence of zoonotic Bartonella infections

“…(Rochalimaea) henselae [101]. Bartonella species, mainly B. quintana and B. henselae, account for approximately 3% of human endocarditis cases, with more than 100 human cases reported in the international literature since 1993 [85,189,190]. In most human cases of Bartonella endocarditis, the vegetative lesions are preferentially located on the aortic valve [189] and most patients have high antibody titers [86].…”

“…In human cases of Bartonella endocarditis, effective antibiotic therapy should include an aminoglycoside prescribed for a minimum of two weeks [190]. In immunocompromised patients with bacillary angiomatosis or bacillary peliosis, the effectiveness of treatments with various antimicrobial substances has been evaluated [127].…”

Cat scratch disease and other zoonotic Bartonella infections

“…29 In humans, infection with Bartonella spp (mainly B quintana and B henselae) is the cause of approximately 3% of endocarditis cases, with > 100 cases reported in the international medical literature since 1993. 30,31,95,96 In most cases of Bartonella-associated endocarditis in humans, the vegetative lesions are preferentially located on the aortic valve, 31 and most patients have high antibody titers (eg, ≥ 1:800) detected via IFA testing. 95 Furthermore, blood samples from most humans with B henselae-associated endocarditis yield no growth of the organism in bacteriologic culture but yield positive results for B henselae via DNA amplification.…”

“…3 In humans with Bartonella-associated endocarditis, effective antimicrobial treatment should include an aminoglycoside administered for a minimum of 2 weeks. 96 In immunocompromised patients with bacillary angiomatosis or bacillary peliosis, the effectiveness of treatments with various antimicrobial agents has been evaluated. 97 Overall, tetracyclines, erythromycin, rifampin, doxycycline, or a combination of these antimicrobials are effective and should be administered to these patients for at least 6 weeks and continued for 4 to 6 months in those individuals who have relapses.…”

C-ANCA-positive glomerulonephritis associated with subacute infective endocarditis caused by Bartonella infection

“…Bacteria belonging to the Bartonella genus are facultative intracellular gram-negative rods that infect erythrocytes or endothelial cells [7]. Most reports of Bartonella IE have involved adult patients and more than 70% of cases were men [8]. The clinical manifestation of Bartonella IE is similar to that of other subacute IE [9].…”