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Bartonella henselae: etiology of pulmonary nodules in a patient with depressed cell-mediated immunity.

We describe an immunocompromised renal transplantation patient with opportunistic lung infection due to Bartonella henselae (formerly Rochalimaea henselae) and provide evidence suggesting transmission from a pet cat. Computed tomographic scans of the chest and lung biopsies provided material for diagnosis. The etiology was established by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of a 16S ribosomal DNA segment from infected lung tissue. Histopathologic and serological evidence supported the molecular data. B. henselae was isolated from the blood of eight of the patient's many cats. The patient responded to prolonged therapy with doxycycline, and relapse did not occur during a 1-year follow-up. B. henselae joins a long list of pathogens that can cause lung infections in association with cell-mediated immunodeficiency states. Molecular methods are useful in diagnosis of this infection in light of the bacterium's fastidious growth characteristics. If an immunocompromised patient has lung nodules and a history of exposure to cats, B. henselae should be sought in biopsy specimens.

Adult↗

Neuroretinitis, aseptic meningitis, and lymphadenitis associated with Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae infection in immunocompetent patients and patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae causes a variety of diseases, including bacillary angiomatosis, peliosis hepatis, lymphadenitis, aseptic meningitis with bacteremia, and cat-scratch disease (CSD). Cases of B. henselae-related disease were collected from September 1991 through November 1993. Patients with suspected CSD, unexplained fever and lymphadenitis, or suspected B. henselae infection who were seen in the Infectious Diseases Clinic at Wilford Hall Medical Center (Lackland Air Force Base, TX) underwent physical and laboratory examinations. In addition to three previously described cases, 23 patients with R. henselae-related infection were identified. The patients included 19 immunocompetent individuals presenting with lymphadenitis (11), stellate neuroretinitis (5), Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome with retinitis (1), chronic fatigue syndrome-like disease (1), and microbiologically proven adenitis without the presence of immunofluorescent antibodies to B. henselae (1) and four patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 presenting with isolated lymphadenitis (1), diffuse upper-extremity adenitis (1), neuroretinitis (1), and aseptic meningitis (1). A couple with neuroretinitis and their pet cat, a persistently fatigued patient, and a patient with Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome were shown to have bacteremia. Tissue cultures were positive for B. henselae in three recent cases of adenitis. Twenty-two patients were exposed to cats. This series further demonstrates the similarities between B. henselae-related diseases and CSD and identifies several new syndromes due to B. henselae.

Adolescent↗

Bartonella henselae endocarditis in an immunocompetent adult.

We describe a case of aggressive Bartonella henselae endocarditis in an immunocompetent man who owned a cat. Aortic valve replacement was required, and his infection was diagnosed by histology, serology, and polymerase chain reaction analysis. The manifestations of his disease included mediastinal lymphadenopathy, glomerulonephritis, myocarditis, and a petechial rash; the unusual finding of a positive titer of c-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies was noted. Serological titers were markedly elevated for > 1 year despite clinical improvement.

Adult↗

Interactions between live Bartonella bacilliformis and endothelial cells.

Bartonella bacilliformis, a gram-negative, flagellated, motile bacterium, is the etiologic agent of verruca peruana. It is found within the verruca, where it can form large cytoplasmic (Rocha-Lima) inclusions in endothelial cells. Previously, an activity has been described in homogenates of B. bacilliformis that in vitro increases the proliferation of endothelial cells and their production of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and in vivo is angiogenic. The aim of the present study was to determine if live B. bacilliformis similarly stimulated endothelial cells and produced the Rocha-Lima inclusion. By measuring proliferation of cells and the production of t-PA in vitro, it was found that the live bacteria increased both parameters in a fashion similar to the homogenates of B. bacilliformis. Interaction between the bacteria and endothelial cells appeared to be necessary for proliferation. On electron microscopy, bacteria penetrated the endothelial cell within 1 h, forming a small membrane-bound inclusion. By 12 h, a large membrane-bound inclusion, similar to the Rocha-Lima inclusion, containing numerous bacteria was present. These data provide further evidence that B. bacilliformis has an angiogenic activity and that the bacteria are at least in part responsible for the vascular proliferation of the verruca.

Bartonella↗

Lack of bactericidal effect of antibiotics except aminoglycosides on Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae.

Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae is a cause of peliosis hepatis and bacillary angiomatosis, and one of the putative agents of cat scratch disease. Specific therapy for B. henselae infections is not available. Treatment failures and relapses are frequent, especially following brief antibiotic courses, and this contrasts with the in-vitro susceptibility of B. henselae to most antibiotics. We decided to test the antibiotic susceptibility of B. henselae associated with murine macrophage-like cells (P388 D1) and a human endothelial cell line. We carried out a bactericidal assay in this model and in axenic broth. In both models, only aminoglycosides were bactericidal. These results suggest that aminoglycosides may be effective in the treatment of B. henselae infections.

Aminoglycosides↗

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Bartonella henselae using Etest methodology.

OBJECTIVES: Bartonella henselae is a fastidious slow growing pathogen which is seldom cultured in the laboratory. Previous descriptions of antimicrobial susceptibility have been largely limited to feline isolates and/or laboratory reference strains, with no accounting for genotypic or phenotypic diversity. METHODS: An optimal method of antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Etest was established to compare the antimicrobial susceptibilities of 12 different isolates of B. henselae, 5 human and 7 feline, which have previously been well characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), phase variation and passage number. RESULTS: No difference in susceptibility could be attributed to differences in genotype, source of the isolate or passage number. Where comparisons were drawn with previously published results, these were found to be concordant. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that antibiotic susceptibility can be determined by a simple Etest method for B. henselae isolates. This method is reproducible among diverse strains, and is sufficiently predictable that generalizations can be confidently made about optimal antibiotic choices.

Angiomatosis, Bacillary↗

Acquisition of the cat scratch disease agent Bartonella henselae by cat fleas (Siphonaptera:Pulicidae).

We assayed the ability of cat fleas to become infected with Bartonella henselae, using an artificial feeding device. Fleas fed a concentration of 1 x 10(5) cfu/ml in blood were examined using immunofluorescent antibody assay and polymerase chain reaction. Bacteria were present in the gut at 3 h, and persisted up to 9 d after infection. Qualitatively, the density of B. henselae was greater in the flea gut at 9 d, indicating that replication was occurring in the gut. B. henselae also was detected in the feces of infected fleas 9 d after infection, and produced viable colonies upon inoculation onto heart infusion agar/rabbit blood plates. Our results indicate that fleas can maintain infection with B. henselae, and may play a role in the transmission of this bacterium from infected cats to humans.

Animals↗

Experimental infection of domestic cats with Bartonella henselae by inoculation of Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) feces.

Caged cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché), were fed on 6 cats; 3 cats were injected with 5 x 10(7) colony forming units of Bartonella henselae intradermally and 3 cats were injected with an equal volume of saline. After the fleas fed for 4 d, 5 groups of 50 B. henselae-exposed fleas were caged and allowed to feed on 5 cats for 6 d. Five cats each were injected intradermally with 1 ml of saline containing 45 mg of feces from B. henselae-exposed fleas. Five cats were fed 50 B. henselae-exposed fleas and 45 mg of fresh feces from B. henselae-exposed fleas. Five cats received all 3 treatments by using fleas and feces collected from cats inoculated with saline (controls). Cats were bled weekly and tested by culture and serology. The cats that were injected with feces from infected fleas were positive by culture for B. henselae at 1 or 2 wk after exposure and were the only cats to become bacteremic or seropositive by week 20.

Animals↗

The histologic spectrum of hepatic cat scratch disease. A series of six cases with confirmed Bartonella henselae infection.

Cat scratch disease (CSD), a common cause of regional lymphadenitis, has been linked to Bartonella henselae infection. Although rare, dissemination with hepatic involvement has been documented. Six cases of hepatic CSD were retrieved and probed for B. henselae DNA. Hematoxylin-eosin, trichrome, methenamine silver, Gram, Ziehl-Neelsen, and Warthin-Starry stained slides were reviewed by all authors, and the histologic findings were recorded. B. henselae infection was confirmed in all cases using combined polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot methods. All biopsies contained multiple granulomas, many with characteristic stellate abscesses surrounded by three distinct zones: an inner layer of palisading histiocytes, an intermediate lymphocytic rim, and an outermost zone of fibrosis. One case had noncaseating granulomas with prominent giant cells. Warthin-Starry stains were positive in two. The surrounding parenchyma in all cases contained lymphocytic infiltrates within expanded fibrotic portal triads and adjacent dilated sinusoids. There is a distinct spectrum of histologic changes in hepatic CSD. Although the unit lesion is granulomatous, the organization varies markedly. All cases show predictable nonspecific surrounding parenchymal changes. When multiple hepatic lesions are found in patients with constitutional symptoms suggesting an infectious illness, CSD should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Adult↗

Prevalence of Bartonella henselae immunoglobulin G antibodies in Singaporean cats.

BACKGROUND: Bartonella henselae causes several clinical diseases in humans. The most common infection is the classical cat-scratch disease (CSD) occurring in immunocompetent and immunocompromised children exposed to newly acquired kittens. This is the first study of B. henselae infection in Singaporean cat population. METHODS: Indirect fluorescent antibody tests were carried out on cat sera obtained from 80 cat blood samples. RESULTS: Of the cats studied in this project 47.5% tested seropositive, with high IgG titers (> or =1024) in 31 of 38 seropositive cats, 60.5% of which were males. CONCLUSIONS: Males cats had higher rates of infection than female cats. Serologic studies of cats in different parts of the United States have indicated that the prevalence of IgG antibody to B. henselae in cats is highest in regions with warm, humid climates and lowest in areas with cool, dry climates. The indirect fluorescent antibody test data for B. henselae infection in Singapore cats support this contention.

Animals↗

Role of Bartonella henselae in the etiology of Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) has been ascribed to a variety of infectious and noninfectious agents. Because we encountered a patient with HSP who had evidence of Bartonella henselae infection and a prior report of a patient with systemic cat-scratch disease presenting as leukoclastic vasculitis, we investigated the association of B. henselae infection with HSP. METHODS: We determined the antibody titers to B. henselae on the sera of 18 patients with HSP and on 57 controls. All patients presented with the characteristic leukoclastic rash of HSP. About one-half of the patients had joint or abdominal symptoms, and four had hematuria at presentation. An indirect immunofluorescent assay was used to determine serum antibody titers to B. henselae. Sera that were reactive at a dilution of 1/64 were considered positive. RESULTS: Eight of the 57 (14%) control sera and 12 of the 18 (67%) patient sera were positive for B. henselae antibody (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate a significant association of antecedent B. henselae infection with HSP. The frequency of this association (67%) exceeds that of previously ascribed etiologic agents for this disease, such as the group A Streptococcus.

Adolescent↗

Neurologic complications of Bartonella henselae infection.

Bartonella henselae can cause cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis, a multisystem disorder seen primarily in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Both of these diseases are associated with neurologic complications, particularly encephalopathy. B. henselae may also cause bacteremia and endocarditis, and has been associated with aseptic meningitis and with dementia in patients also infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Recent advances in identification of this difficult-to-culture organism will lead to recognition of more neurologic complications.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Bartonella henselae infection associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome.

This is the first report of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) related to Bartonella henselae infection. A 10-year-old girl had difficulty walking and marked myalgia. The search for all causes known to trigger GBS was negative. She was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins and recovered. Because she lived in a rural area and had a history of kitten contact, a specific serology for B. henselae infection was performed and confirmed an ongoing infection. She did not show any clinical typical feature of cat-scratch disease. B. henselae infection should be considered in the wide etiologic spectrum of GBS.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Phase variation in Bartonella henselae.

Bartonella henselae is a fastidious, Gram-negative bacterial pathogen of cats and humans. Previous workers have shown that serial passage in vitro leads to attenuation of virulence-associated attributes such as expression of pili, invasion of human epithelial cell lines and the stimulation of endothelial cell proliferation. In contrast to the published data, it was found that pilin expression is frequently preserved in organisms which have undergone phase variation in vitro. Transition from a slow-growing, dry agar-pitting (DAP) to a faster-growing, smooth non-agar-pitting (SNP) form appears to occur predictably and may reflect competition between two populations growing at different rates. Better survival of the slower-growing (DAP) form may explain its relatively easy retrieval from piliated SNP populations allowed to age on solid media. Pilin expression is associated with auto-agglutination in liquid suspension or broth cultures, and appears to be necessary but not sufficient for expression of the agar-pitting phenotype and for the formation of biofilms. Outer-membrane protein variation is seen in association with phase variation, but lipopolysaccharide expression is preserved in piliated as well as extensively passaged non-piliated isolates. The EagI/HhaI infrequent restriction site-PCR fingerprint, which has been previously used to discriminate between serotypes Marseille and Houston, is shown to alter with phase variation in vitro, and there is evidence that genetic change accompanies these events. The extent of genetic and phenotypic variability of phase-variant B. henselae has previously been underestimated. It may lead to new insights into the pathogenicity of this organism, and must be considered when interpreting data arising from such studies.

Animals↗

A phage in Bartonella bacilliformis.

Bacteriophage-like particles were found in Bartonella bacilliformis culture. The particles consisted of head (icosahedral), 40 nm in diameter, and tail, 16 nm in length.

Bacteriophages↗

Seroepidemiological survey of Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae in domestic cats in Japan.

A total of 199 domestic cat serum samples from 3 geographical areas (northeastern, central and southwestern) of Japan collected between 1992 and 1994 were examined for serum antibody against Bartonella henselae using an immunofluorescent assay. The antibody prevalence was 15.1% (30/199). A significant difference in the prevalence of B. henselae antibody was observed between the northeastern area (6.3%:3/48) and the central area (22.0:13/59) in Japan. There was no significant difference between the average age of seropositive cats (4.39 +/- 3.26 years) and that of seronegative cats (4.03 +/- 3.84 years), and also between the frequency of seropositive male cats (16.5%:15/91) and that of seropositive female cats (11.8:9/76). This is the first report of B. henselae antibodies in cats in Japan

Age Factors↗

Serological study of Bartonella henselae in cat scratch disease in Japan.

It has become clear that Bartonella henselae is a common cause of cat scratch disease (CSD). The indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) test for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to B. henselae concerning CSD showed that 5 (50%) of 10 patients with CSD had a serum IgG antibody titer of 1:128 or more and that 2 (20%) patients had a serum IgM antibody titer of 1:20 or more. One of 7 asymptomatic members of patients' families (14%) had IgG antibody to B. henselae at a titer of 1:256. IgM antibody to B. henselae was not detected in sera from the patients' families. Both IgG and IgM antibodies to B. henselae were not detected in sera from the healthy control group. These data suggest that B. henselae may be a cause of CSD in Japan.

Adult↗

Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae, Toxoplasma gondii, FIV and FeLV infections in domestic cats in Japan.

Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae, Toxoplasma gondii, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections was investigated in 1,447 domestic cats derived from the north (Hokkaido) to the south (Okinawa) prefectures in Japan. Of the cats investigated, 8.8% (128/1,447) were seropositive to B. henselae, 5.4% (78/1,447) to T. gondii, 9.8% (107/1,088) to FIV, and 2.9% (32/1,088) to FeLV, respectively. For B. henselae infection, the positive rate varied from 11.5% in cats of 1 to <2 years old to 7.2% in those over 3 years old. Outdoor cats showed higher positive rate (14.5%) than that (7.0%) in indoor ones. The rate (13.5%) in flea-infested cats was significantly higher than that (7.4%) in flea-negative cats. The positive rates in southern and urban sites were more likely to be higher than those in northern and suburban sites, suggesting that warm and humid environments, density of cat population, and raising status, including hygienic condition and flea infestation in cats may correlate to higher seroprevalence of B. henselae infection. For T. gondii, FIV and FeLV infections, the seroprevalence also tended to be higher in outdoor, flea-infested cats and advanced age groups. For FIV infection, the positive rates in male (14.3%) and outdoor cats (15.0%) were significantly higher than those in female (5.0%) and indoor cats (4.6%). On the other hand, no significant difference in seropositivities was observed in FeLV and T. gondii infections concerning to both genders and raising status.

Animals↗