D305 - Bartonella spp.

Description:

The genus Bartonella is presently composed of 11 species. At least four species are known to be human pathogens: Bartonella bacilliformis, the agent of Carrion’s disease; Bartonella quintana, the agent of trench fever and an agent of bacillary angiomatosis; B. henselae, the agent of cat scratch disease (CSD) and an agent of bacillary angiomatosis; and Bartonella elizabethae, which can cause endocarditis. Bartonella vinsonii has been reported recently to be the cause of human endocarditis. Bartonella vinsonii var. berkoffii has been found in a case of canine endocarditis as well. Two Bartonella species, Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae, have been isolated from the blood of cats. The prevalence of this bacterial infection, as determined by culture of cat blood, ranges from 4 to 70% according to the study and the type of cat population studied: pet, impounded, or former stray cats. Epidemiological studies have implicated cats as a major reservoir of B. henselae and have shown that cats can remain asymptomatic and bacteremic for several months to several years. B. henselae DNA has been amplified from fleas found on bacteremic cats, and transmission of Bartonella henselae by the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, has been demonstrated. Recently, Bartonella clarridgeiae has also been isolated from the blood of a cat. It was present in the bloodstream of a healthy cat involved in a human case of CSD caused by Bartonella henselae. It is not known whether Bartonella clarridgeiae can be transmitted to man nor whether it induces disease.

Diagnosis:

The PCR assay is available to specifically detect Bartonella DNA from clinical samples. Positive result confirms Bartonella infection.

Sample:

Whole blood (3 ml) in a lavender top (EDTA) tube.

Special Handling:

Store blood and tissue samples at 4°C until pick up or shipment.

Test Code:

D305

1. Kordick et al. (1999) Coinfection with multiple tick-borne pathogens in a Walker Hound kennel in North Carolina. J. Clin. Microbiol. 37 : 2631-2638.
2. Abbott et al. (1997) Experimental and natural infection with Bartonella henselae in cats. Comp. Immunol. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 20:41–51.
3. Kordick et al. (1995) Prolonged Bartonella bacteremia in cats associated with cat-scratch disease patients. J. Clin. Microbiol. 33:3245–3251.