Bartonella-associated infections

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 1998 Mar;12(1):137-55. doi: 10.1016/s0891-5520(05)70414-1.

Abstract

Bartonella-associated infections occur in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. The spectrum of diseases caused by Bartonella species has expanded and now includes cat-scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, bacillary peliosis, bacteremia, endocarditis, and trench fever. Most Bartonella-associated infections that occur in North America and Europe are caused by B. henselae or B. quintana. The domestic cat serves as the major reservoir for B. henselae; the reservoir for the modern day B. quintana infection remains unknown. Methods used to diagnose Bartonella-associated infections include histopathologic analysis of biopsy specimens, culture of tissue samples, blood culture, and serology. Available data on treatment of Bartonella-associated infections remain relatively sparse but would suggest that erythromycin or doxycycline provide the best responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / epidemiology
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bartonella / genetics
  • Bartonella / immunology
  • Bartonella / isolation & purification
  • Bartonella Infections / diagnosis
  • Bartonella Infections / drug therapy
  • Bartonella Infections / epidemiology*
  • Cats
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • DNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA, Bacterial