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Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria Feb 2021Cat-scratch disease is produced by the bacterium Bartonella henselae, a gram-negative bacillus transmitted through cutaneous inoculation by a cat or dog's scratch or...
Cat-scratch disease is produced by the bacterium Bartonella henselae, a gram-negative bacillus transmitted through cutaneous inoculation by a cat or dog's scratch or bite. It has a wide clinical spectrum, from a typical picture characterized by a regional lymphadenopathy near to the inoculation site to atypical pictures with systemic compromise. Bone compromise is infrequent, it represents around 0.2-0.5 % of the cases. We present a 3-year-old previously healthy patient, who was admitted with prolonged fever related to pain and movement limitation of the cervical spine. Diagnosis of cat-scratch disease with multiple bone involvement was reached.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella henselae; Cat-Scratch Disease; Dogs; Fever; Humans; Skin
PubMed: 33458999
DOI: 10.5546/aap.2021.e84 -
Zoonoses and Public Health Jun 2021Bartonellae are emerging vector-borne pathogens infecting humans, domestic mammals and wildlife. Ninety-seven red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 8 European badgers (Meles...
Bartonellae are emerging vector-borne pathogens infecting humans, domestic mammals and wildlife. Ninety-seven red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 8 European badgers (Meles meles), 6 Eurasian wolves (Canis lupus), 6 European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), 3 beech martens (Martes foina) and 2 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Italian Nature Conservatory Parks were investigated for Bartonella infection. Several Bartonella species (9.84%; 95% CI: 4.55-15.12), including zoonotic ones, were molecularly detected among wolves (83.3%; 95% CI: 51-100.00), foxes (4.12%; 95% CI: 0.17-8.08), hedgehogs (33.33%; 95% CI: 0.00-71.05) and a roe deer. Bartonella rochalimae was the most common Bartonella species (i.e. in 4 foxes and 2 wolves) detected. Candidatus B. merieuxii and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii were identified for the first time in wolves. Furthermore, Bartonella schoenbuchensis was identified in a roe deer and a new clone with phylogenetic proximity to B. clarridgeiae was detected in European hedgehogs. Zoonotic and other Bartonella species were significantly more frequent in Eurasian wolves (p < .0001), than in other free-ranging wild mammals, representing a potential reservoir for infection in humans and domestic animals.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Italy; Mammals; Phylogeny; Wolves; Zoonoses
PubMed: 33779044
DOI: 10.1111/zph.12827 -
The American Journal of Case Reports Apr 2023BACKGROUND Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a self-limited infection caused by Bartonella henselae that causes lymphadenitis, fevers, skin changes at the inoculation site,...
BACKGROUND Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a self-limited infection caused by Bartonella henselae that causes lymphadenitis, fevers, skin changes at the inoculation site, headache, nausea, and ocular symptoms. Bartonella neuroretinitis is a form of CSD that presents with ocular symptoms, such as a central scotoma, rather than the typical lymphadenopathy of CSD. Bartonella neuroretinitis is the most common cause of infectious neuroretinitis leading to painless vision loss. Symptoms can mimic the more common optic neuritis, which can lead to under-diagnosis. Early diagnosis of Bartonella neuroretinitis and initiation of appropriate treatment is crucial to prevent vision loss and shorten recovery time. CASE REPORT A 47-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with nonspecific symptoms of headache, fevers, and visual changes. He was noted to have adopted a cat 2 months prior to presentation. A dilated fundus examination revealed grade 3 optic disc edema with small disc hemorrhages bilaterally without lymphadenopathy, and Bartonella henselae serologies returned positive for the disease. The patient was treated with doxycycline and rifampin at discharge. At his follow-up outpatient ophthalmology visit, the patient had symptomatically improved vision, with dilated fundus examination supporting reduced optic disc edema in the right eye. CONCLUSIONS Early recognition and treatment of Bartonella neuroretinitis is essential to prevent vision loss and shorten recovery time. The current standard of treatment is doxycycline and rifampin for 4 to 6 weeks, and a growing body of literature indicates the supplementation of corticosteroids with these antibiotics.
Topics: Humans; Cat-Scratch Disease; Bartonella; Doxycycline; Rifampin; Papilledema; Retinitis; Bartonella henselae
PubMed: 37118886
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.938380 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Dec 2023Numbers of new and revised microbial taxa are continuously expanding, and the rapid accumulation of novel bacterial species is challenging to keep up with in the best of... (Review)
Review
Numbers of new and revised microbial taxa are continuously expanding, and the rapid accumulation of novel bacterial species is challenging to keep up with in the best of circumstances. With that in mind, following the template of reports on prokaryotic species isolated from humans, this is now the second publication summarizing new and revised taxa in non-domestic animal species in the . The majority of new taxa were obtained as part of programs to identify bacteria from mucosal surfaces and the gastrointestinal tract from healthy wildlife. A few notable bacteria included new spp. from mammalian and aquatic sources and a novel spp. isolated from a rodent, both of which could be considered members of emerging and re-emerging genera with pathogenic potential in humans and animals.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Bacteria; Animals, Wild; Bartonella; Rodentia; Gastrointestinal Tract
PubMed: 37888990
DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00840-23 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Mar 2010Bartonella spp. infect humans and many animal species. Mainly because PCR studies have demonstrated Bartonella DNA in ticks, some healthcare providers believe that these... (Review)
Review
Bartonella spp. infect humans and many animal species. Mainly because PCR studies have demonstrated Bartonella DNA in ticks, some healthcare providers believe that these microorganisms are transmitted by ticks. B. henselae, in particular, is regarded as being present in and transmissible by the Ixodes scapularis tick. The presence of a microbial agent within a tick, however, does not imply that the tick might transmit it during the course of blood feeding and does not confer epidemiologic importance. After a critical review of the evidence for and against tick transmission, we conclude that transmission of any Bartonella spp. by ticks, to animals or humans, has not been established. We are unaware of any well-documented case of B. henselae transmission by I. scapularis ticks.
Topics: Animals; Arachnid Vectors; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Bartonella henselae; Humans; Ixodes
PubMed: 20202410
DOI: 10.3201/eid1603.090443 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Nov 2013Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is widespread amongst prokaryotes, but eukaryotes tend to be far less promiscuous with their genetic information. However, several... (Review)
Review
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is widespread amongst prokaryotes, but eukaryotes tend to be far less promiscuous with their genetic information. However, several examples of HGT from pathogens into eukaryotic cells have been discovered and mimicked to improve non-viral gene delivery techniques. For example, several viral proteins and DNA sequences have been used to significantly increase cytoplasmic and nuclear gene delivery. Plant genetic engineering is routinely performed with the pathogenic bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens and similar pathogens (e.g. Bartonella henselae) may also be able to transform human cells. Intracellular parasites like Trypanosoma cruzi may also provide new insights into overcoming cellular barriers to gene delivery. Finally, intercellular nucleic acid transfer between host cells will also be briefly discussed. This article will review the unique characteristics of several different viruses and microbes and discuss how their traits have been successfully applied to improve non-viral gene delivery techniques. Consequently, pathogenic traits that originally caused diseases may eventually be used to treat many genetic diseases.
Topics: Agrobacterium tumefaciens; Animals; Bartonella henselae; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Genetic Therapy; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Plants; Transgenes; Trypanosoma cruzi; Virus Physiological Phenomena; Viruses
PubMed: 23994344
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.08.025 -
Clinical & Developmental Immunology 2012Most infections by genus Bartonella in immunocompromised patients are caused by B. henselae and B. quintana. Unlike immunocompetent hosts who usually develop milder... (Review)
Review
Most infections by genus Bartonella in immunocompromised patients are caused by B. henselae and B. quintana. Unlike immunocompetent hosts who usually develop milder diseases such as cat scratch disease and trench fever, immunocompromised patients, including those living with HIV/AIDS and posttransplant patients, are more likely to develop different and severe life-threatening disease. This paper will discuss Bartonella's manifestations in immunosuppressed patients and will examine Bartonella's interaction with the immune system including its mechanisms of establishing infection and immune escape. Gaps in current understanding of the immunology of Bartonella infection in immunocompromised hosts will be highlighted.
Topics: Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Bartonella henselae; Bartonella quintana; Cat-Scratch Disease; Cell Proliferation; HIV Infections; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Trench Fever
PubMed: 22162717
DOI: 10.1155/2012/612809 -
PloS One 2022The prevalence and molecular characteristics of Bartonella infections in small rodents in the Zhongtiao Mountain, China have been explored. In this study, the liver,...
The prevalence and molecular characteristics of Bartonella infections in small rodents in the Zhongtiao Mountain, China have been explored. In this study, the liver, spleen and kidney tissues of captured rodents were used for Bartonella spp. detection and identification by combination of real-time PCR of transfer-mRNA (ssrA) gene and traditional PCR and sequencing of citrate synthase (gltA) gene. It was shown that 49.52% of the rodents (52/105) were positive for Bartonella spp.. The infection rate in different gender (χ2 = 0.079, P = 0.778) and tissues (χ2 = 0.233, P = 0.890) of small rodents did not have statistical difference, but that in different small rodents (Fisher's exact test, P < 0.001) and habitats (χ2 = 5.483, P = 0.019) had statistical difference. And, the sequencing data suggests that Bartonella sequences (n = 31) were identified into three species, including 14 of B. grahamii, 3 of B. queenslandensis and 14 of unknown Bartonella species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that B. grahamii sequences were clustered with the isolates from South Korea and China, and B. queenslandensis sequences were mainly closely related to the isolates from China and Thailand. The genetic diversity analysis showed that B. grahamii and B. queenslandensis sequences exhibited noticeable intraspecies diversity. Taken together our data demonstrates the high prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella infections in small rodents in the Zhongtiao Mountain, especially a potential novel Bartonella specie was detected, which could benefit the prevention and control of rodent-Bartonella species in this area.
Topics: Bartonella
PubMed: 35226692
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264591 -
PLoS Pathogens May 2022Vertical transmission of Bartonella infection has been reported for several mammalian species including mice and humans. Accordingly, it is commonly held that acquired...
Vertical transmission of Bartonella infection has been reported for several mammalian species including mice and humans. Accordingly, it is commonly held that acquired immunological tolerance contributes critically to the high prevalence of Bartonellae in wild-ranging rodent populations. Here we studied an experimental model of Bartonella infection in mice to assess the impact of maternal and newborn immune defense on vertical transmission and bacterial persistence in the offspring, respectively. Congenital infection was frequently observed in B cell-deficient mothers but not in immunocompetent dams, which correlated with a rapid onset of an antibacterial antibody response in infected WT animals. Intriguingly, B cell-deficient offspring with congenital infection exhibited long-term bacteremia whereas B cell-sufficient offspring cleared bacteremia within a few weeks after birth. Clearance of congenital Bartonella infection resulted in immunity against bacterial rechallenge, with the animals mounting Bartonella-neutralizing antibody responses of normal magnitude. These observations reveal a key role for humoral immune defense by the mother and offspring in preventing and eliminating vertical transmission. Moreover, congenital Bartonella infection does not induce humoral immune tolerance but results in anti-bacterial immunity, questioning the contribution of neonatal tolerance to Bartonella prevalence in wild-ranging rodents.
Topics: Animals; Bacteremia; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Female; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Mammals; Mice; Placenta; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35580143
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010489 -
Infection, Genetics and Evolution :... Jan 2022Although Bartonella spp. is described in cats worldwide, little is known about the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in cats from South America. To...
Although Bartonella spp. is described in cats worldwide, little is known about the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in cats from South America. To date, it has only been detected in cats from Brazil, Chile and Argentina. This study aimed to undertake a molecular survey and explore the genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in domestic cats from Paraguay. A TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the nuoG gene (83 bp) for Bartonella spp. was used to screen 125 blood samples from cats in Asuncion, Paraguay. nuoG qPCR-positive samples were further submitted to conventional PCR assays based on the ITS (453- 717 bp), gltA (767 bp), ftsZ (515 bp), rpoB (333 bp), ribC (585-588 bp), and pap-31 (564 bp) loci. Positive samples were sequenced for species identification, phylogenetic, and haplotype analyses. Bartonella D.N.A. was present in 20.8% (26/125) cat blood samples, with low levels of Bartonella nuoG D.N.A. cPCR products targeting gltA, ftsZ, ITS, and rpoB loci from sixteen cats were successfully sequenced. However, all nouG qPCR-positive samples were negative for the ribC and pap-31 genes. Bartonella henselae [62.5% (10/16)] and Bartonella clarridgeiae [37.5% (6/16)] were identified among the sequenced samples. Upon phylogenetic analysis, B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae from Paraguay clustered with sequences detected in domestic and wild cats, dogs, and cat fleas worldwide. Two to four haplotypes of B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae in cats from Paraguay were observed, with some being exclusive and others shared with worldwide distributed haplotypes. Here, we report B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae for the first time in cats from Paraguay. Its circulation in cats suggests the need to consider Bartonellae when testing clinical samples from suspected infectious diseases in humans from Paraguay.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Bartonella henselae; Cat Diseases; Cats; Genetic Variation; Paraguay; Phylogeny
PubMed: 34896287
DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105181