Bartonella-associated infections

• Published in: Infectious disease clinics of North America Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 137
• Main Authors: Spach, D H, Koehler, J E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-03-1998
• Subjects: 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; Disease Transmission, Infectious; DNA, Bacterial - isolation & purification; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Polymerase Chain Reaction
• ISSN: 0891-5520
• DOI: 10.1016/S0891-5520(05)70414-1

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.