Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana infections in Poland in 1998-2001.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adolescent↗
SEARCH · Search PubMed
Results for “BARTONELLA”
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of Bartonella quintana and Bartonella henselae endocarditis: a study of 48 patients.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adolescent↗
Phylogenetic classification of Bartonella species by comparing groEL sequences.
Bartonella is a bacterial genus classified in the alpha-Proteobacteria on the basis of 165 rDNA sequence comparison. The highly conserved heat-shock chaperonin protein, GroEL, has proved to be a valuable resolving tool to classify ten Bartonella species. The groEL gene was amplified and sequenced from ten Bartonella isolates: Bartonella alsatica, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. arupensis, Bartonella taylorii, Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella birtlesii, Bartonella henselae Marseille (URLLY8), B. henselae (90-615), B. henselae (Fizz), B. henselae (CAL-1) and B. henselae (SA-2). Then, phylogenetic relationships were inferred between our isolates and eight other species and subspecies from the comparison of both 16S rDNA and groEL sequences using parsimony, neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood methods. By using groEL sequences, the first reliable classification of most known Bartonella species and subspecies was established. Four strongly supported subgroups were distinguished: firstly, the two human pathogens B. henselae and Bartonella quintana; secondly, a cluster including four rodent isolates, Bartonella elizabethae, B. tribocorum, Bartonella grahamii and B. taylorii; thirdly, a cluster including the B. vinsonii subspecies (B. vinsonii subsp. vinsonii, arupensis and berkhoffii); and lastly, B. birtlesii and 'Bartonella weissi'. 'Bartonella washoensis', B. alsatica, Bartonella doshiae, Bartonella bacilliformis and Bartonella clarridgeiae did not reliably cluster with any other Bartonella species. In addition, the groEL gene was shown to be useful in subtyping six B. henselae isolates into three variants: Houston, Marseille and Fizz.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Molecular phylogeny of the genus Bartonella: what is the current knowledge?
Species of the genus Bartonella are involved in an increasing variety of human diseases. In addition to the 14 currently recognized species, several Bartonella strains have been recovered from a wide range of wild and domestic mammals in Europe and America. Such a high diversity of geographic distributions, animal reservoirs, arthropod vectors and pathogenic properties makes clarification of our knowledge about the phylogeny of Bartonella species necessary. Phylogenetic data have been inferred mainly from 16S rDNA, 16S--23S rRNA intergenic spacer, citrate synthase and 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene sequences, which are available in GenBank. Comparison of phylogenetic organizations obtained from various genes allowed six statistically significant evolutionary clusters to be identified. Bartonella bacilliformis and Bartonella clarridgeiae appear to be divergent species. Bartonella henselae, Bartonella koehlerae and Bartonella quintana cluster together, as well as Bartonella vinsonii subsp. vinsonii and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii. The fifth group includes bacteria isolated from various rodents that belong to native species from the New World and in the sixth, Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella elizabethae and Bartonella grahamii are grouped with several strains associated with Old World indigenous rodents. The position of the other species could not be consistently determined. As some cat- or rodent-associated Bartonella appeared to cluster together, it has been suggested that these bacteria and their reservoir hosts may co-evolve. Lack of host specificity, however, seems to be frequent and may reflect the influence of vector specificity. Host or vector specificity may also explain the current geographic distribution of Bartonella species.
Animals↗
Current knowledge of Bartonella species.
Bartonella species are now considered emerging pathogens. Of the 11 currently recognized species, four have been implicated in human disease, although only two have been encountered in Europe. Bartonella quintana infections are now being diagnosed among the urban homeless and deprived, manifesting as trench fever, and Bartonella henselae has been shown to be the causative agent of cat scratch disease. Both species also cause a variety of HIV-associated infections, including bacillary anglomatosis. However, perhaps the most significant presentation of bartonellae infection is culture-negative endocarditis. The epidemiologies of Bartonella infections are poorly understood; most Bartonella henselae infections are probably acquired from infected cats, either directly by contact with a cat or indirectly via fleas. No animal reservoir has been implicated for Bartonella quintana; however, infection can be transmitted via the human body louse. Diagnosis of Bartonella infections can be made using histological or microbiological methods. The demonstration of specific antibodies may be useful in some instances, although certainly not in all. Cultivation of Bartonella is difficult, as the bacteria are extremely fastidious. Polymerase chain reaction-based or immunological methods for the detection of bartonella in infected tissues have proven useful. Clinical relapse is often associated with Bartonella infections despite a wide range of prescribed regimens. Only aminoglycosides display in vitro bactericidal activity against intracellular Bartonella species; therefore, they are recommended for treatment of Bartonella infections.
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
Molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in questing adult Ixodes pacificus ticks in California.
Ticks are the vectors of many zoonotic diseases in the United States, including Lyme disease, human monocytic and granulocytic ehrlichioses, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Most known Bartonella species are arthropod borne. Therefore, it is important to determine if some Bartonella species, which are emerging pathogens, could be carried or transmitted by ticks. In this study, adult Ixodes pacificus ticks were collected by flagging vegetation in three sites in Santa Clara County, Calif. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and partial sequencing of 273 bp of the gltA gene were applied for Bartonella identification. Twenty-nine (19.2%) of 151 individually tested ticks were PCR positive for Bartonella. Male ticks were more likely to be infected with Bartonella than female ticks (26 versus 12%, P = 0.05). None of the nine ticks collected at Baird Ranch was PCR positive for Bartonella. However, 7 (50%) of 14 ticks from Red Fern Ranch and 22 (17%) of 128 ticks from the Windy Hill Open Space Reserve were infected with Bartonella. In these infected ticks, molecular analysis showed a variety of Bartonella strains, which were closely related to a cattle Bartonella strain and to several known human-pathogenic Bartonella species and subspecies: Bartonella henselae, B. quintana, B. washoensis, and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii. These findings indicate that I. pacificus ticks may play an important role in Bartonella transmission among animals and humans.
Animals↗
Value of microimmunofluorescence for diagnosis and follow-up of Bartonella endocarditis.
Bartonella endocarditis is a disease of emerging importance that causes serious complications and high rates of mortality. Due to the fastidious nature of Bartonella species and their high degrees of antibiotic susceptibility, cultures of clinical samples most often remain sterile and valvular biopsy specimens, the best specimens for PCR amplification, are seldom available. Therefore, serology appears to be the easiest diagnostic tool. In order to determine the best cutoff value for serology and its predictive values for the detection of Bartonella endocarditis, we studied 48 patients with culture- and/or PCR-confirmed Bartonella endocarditis. We also applied these serological criteria to 156 patients with blood culture-negative endocarditis. Furthermore, we compared the kinetics of the antibody responses to Bartonella spp. in order to estimate the value of serology for prediction of the occurrence of relapses. A titer of > or = 1:800 for immunoglobulin G antibodies to either Bartonella henselae or B. quintana has a positive predictive value of 0.810 for the detection of chronic Bartonella infections in the general population and a value of 0.955 for the detection of Bartonella infections among patients with endocarditis. When this cutoff was applied to 156 patients with blood culture-negative endocarditis, we were able to diagnose Bartonella infections in an additional 45 patients with definite endocarditis for whom a positive Bartonella serology was the only evidence of infection. On follow-up, the kinetics of the decrease in antibody titers were significantly delayed in two patients with relapses. In conclusion, we recommend the determination of antibodies to both B. quintana and B. henselae and the use of a cutoff value of 1:800 for the diagnosis of Bartonella endocarditis. We propose that this criterion, which may also help with the detection of late relapses, be included as a major criterion in the Duke criteria for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis.
Antibodies, Bacterial↗
A prospective study of canine infective endocarditis in northern California (1999-2001): emergence of Bartonella as a prevalent etiologic agent.
A prospective study was performed (June 1999 to May 2001) to determine the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) due to Bartonella in dogs in northern California and to compare these patients with other dogs with IE. IE was diagnosed antemortem based on clinical signs and echocardiography in 18 dogs. The etiologic agent was Bartonella sp. in 5 dogs (28%) and was diagnosed by high seroreactivity to Bartonella (titer > 1:512; range, 1:1,024-1:4,096); and confirmed postmortem by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) from the infected valve and partial DNA sequencing of the citrate synthase gene (glt A). Conventional bacteria were causative agents in 7 dogs (39%). An etiologic agent was not identified in 6 dogs (33%). Bartonella vinsonii berkhoffii (n = 3), B clarridgeiae (n = 1), and a B clarridgeiae-like organism (n = 1) were identified. Blood culture was positive only for the IE case due to B clarridgeiae. All dogs with IE due to Bartonella were also seroreactive to Anaplasma phagocytophilum. All dogs with IE due to Bartonella had lesions only on the aortic valve. Of the cases of IE not due to Bartonella, 31% involved the aortic valve, 61% the mitral valve, and 8% both valves. Dogs with mitral valve IE lived longer than all dogs with aortic valve IE (P = .004) and dogs with IE of the aortic valve due to Bartonella (P = .002). In conclusion, Bartonella is a common cause of IE in dogs of northern California. A high Bartonella serologic titer (> 1:512) is useful antemortem to diagnose aortic valve IE due to Bartonella.
Animals↗
Antibodies to Bartonella species in inner-city intravenous drug users in Baltimore, Md.
BACKGROUND: Bartonella quintana has recently been associated with homeless alcoholic men. Both B quintana and Bartonella henselae have been shown to be opportunistic pathogens of people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The reservoirs and modes of transmission of these infections are incompletely known. OBJECTIVES: To examine serum samples that were taken from inner-city intravenous (IV) drug users for antibodies to Bartonella organisms to determine whether there is an urban transmission cycle for Bartonella species and to examine the demographic and behavioral characteristics of IV drug users to identify possible risk factors for infection with any of these agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A serologic survey was conducted, using a convenience sample of serum specimens collected during a study of IV drug use and human immunodeficiency virus infection among 630 inner-city residents in Baltimore, Md. A detailed questionnaire was administered at the initial collection of serum, and additional serum collections and questionnaire updates were made at 6-month intervals. The most recent available serum sample was tested for Bartonella antibody titer by using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test with 3 antigens: Bartonella elizabethae, B henselae, and B quintana. Univariate and multivariate analyses of selected potential demographic and behavioral risk factors were conducted. RESULTS: Antibodies to Bartonella were highly prevalent in this group; more than 37% of all samples reacted with at least 1 antigen. Overall seroprevalence of antibodies to B elizabethae, B henselae, and B quintana was 33%, 11%, and 10%, respectively. Current IV drug use, frequency of injection, and seronegative human immunodeficiency virus status were significantly associated with Bartonella antibody presence, but these associations varied by analysis. There was a significant inverse association of antibody prevalence to B henselae and B quintana by using CD4+ cell counts among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous drug users have an elevated prevalence of antibodies to Bartonella organisms and may be at significant risk of becoming infected. Current IV drug use, high frequency of injection, and seronegative human immunodeficiency virus status are significant risk factors for an increased prevalence of Bartonella antibodies. The current natural histories of Bartonella species are rapidly changing, and mechanisms of transmission remain unknown.
Adult↗
Prevalence of Bartonella infection among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with fever.
Bartonella infection can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it manifests as bacteremia, which is usually accompanied by nonspecific symptoms, such as fever. Therefore, we hypothesized that Bartonella infection represents an underrecognized cause of febrile illness. To determine the prevalence of Bartonella infection among patients presenting with fever, we evaluated 382 patients in San Francisco. Overall, 68 patients (18%) had evidence of Bartonella infection detected by culture, indirect fluorescent antibody testing, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twelve patients (3%) had either Bartonella henselae or Bartonella quintana isolated from specimens of blood, tissue, or both or had DNA detected in tissue; all 12 had concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Bartonella antibodies were detected in 17% of febrile patients, including 75% of culture-positive or PCR-positive patients. In a nested, matched case-control study aimed at identifying clinical features of febrile illness associated with Bartonella infection, only bacillary angiomatosis and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels were associated with Bartonella infection (P< or =.03 for both). The prevalence of Bartonella infection among patients with late-stage HIV infection and unexplained fever is much greater than has previously been documented.
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
Bartonella vinsonii subspecies berkhoffi as a possible cause of anterior uveitis and choroiditis in a dog.
A 2-year old, neutered, female spaniel mixed breed was referred to the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of bilateral anterior uveitis. The dog was febrile and, in addition to anterior uveitis, multifocal hyporeflective lesions were present in the tapetal fundus of both eyes. The antibody titer for Bartonella vinsonii subspecies berkhoffi was positive (1 : 512). Aqueous paracentesis was performed for PCR in an attempt to detect B. vinsonii in the eye but was unsuccessful. The ocular manifestations of Bartonella infection in humans are currently expanding as more sensitive serologic and PCR techniques are being developed to identify Bartonella spp. In addition to optic neuritis and neuroretinitis, retinochoroidal lesions are one of the most common manifestations of B. henselae infection, and are frequently accompanied by vitreous or anterior segment inflammation. Diagnosis of a Bartonella infection in humans can be made on serology alone, in conjunction with ocular examination findings. The ultimate proof of B. vinsonii (berkhoffi) as a direct cause of ocular disease would be detection of the infectious agent in the eye. However, it is unknown at this time whether Bartonella causes ocular disease primarily, secondarily via an autoimmune reaction, or both. Due to the difficulties associated with culture of Bartonella spp. and the limitations of PCR, serology is currently the most useful tool for screening dogs for possible Bartonella spp. infection. In the case presented here, even though the PCR was negative, the clinical signs of anterior uveitis and choroiditis might reasonably be associated with B. vinsonii (berkhoffi) seroreactivity, which was repeatable on three separate occasions. Clinical improvement was also accompanied by a post-treatment decrease in B. vinsonii (berkhoffi) seroreactivity, potentially supporting resolution of Bartonella infection in this dog. This is the first reported case of a possible association between uveitis, choroiditis and Bartonella infection in the dog, without clinical manifestations of other organ or tissue involvement. Future studies based on PCR analysis of intraocular fluids may clarify the involvement of B. vinsonii (berkhoffi) in dogs with intraocular inflammatory disease. Furthermore, performing fluorescein angiography in dogs with elevated Bartonella titers may also prove useful in the identification and characterization of lesions.
Animals↗
Detection of novel Bartonella strains and Yersinia pestis in prairie dogs and their fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae and Pulicidae) using multiplex polymerase chain reaction.
We developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that simultaneously detects three types of flea-associated microorganisms. Targets for the assay were sequences encoding portions of the gltA, a 17-kDa antigen, and pla genes of Bartonella spp. Strong et al., Rickettsia spp. da Rocha-Lima, and Yersinia pestis Yersin, respectively. A total of 260 flea samples containing bloodmeal remnants were analyzed from fleas collected from abandoned prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) burrows at the site of an active plague epizootic in Jefferson County, CO. Results indicated that 34 (13.1%) fleas were positive for Bartonella spp., 0 (0%) were positive for Rickettsia spp., and 120 (46.2%) were positive for Y. pestis. Twenty-three (8.8%) of these fleas were coinfected with Bartonella spp. and Y. pestis. A second group of 295 bloodmeal-containing fleas was collected and analyzed from abandoned burrows in Logan County, CO, where a prairie dog die-off had occurred 2-4 mo before the time of sampling. Of these 295 fleas, 7 (2.4%) were positive for Bartonella spp., 0 (0%) were positive for Rickettsia spp., and 46 (15.6%) were positive for Y. pestis. Coinfections were not observed in fleas from the Logan County epizootic site. The multiplex PCR also was used to identify Y. pestis and Bartonella in prairie dog blood and tissues. This report represents the first identification of Bartonella from prairie dogs and their fleas. Prairie dog fleas were tested with PCR, and the Bartonella PCR amplicons produced were sequenced and found to be closely related to similar sequences amplified from Bartonella that had been isolated from prairie dog blood samples. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the sequences of bartonellae from prairie dogs and prairie dog fleas cluster tightly within a clade that is distinct from those containing other known Bartonella genotypes.
Animals↗
Experimental infection of cotton rats with three naturally occurring Bartonella species.
The kinetics of infection and humoral immune response of laboratory-bred cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) challenged with three Bartonella spp. recovered from the blood of naturally infected cotton rats captured in Georgia (USA) are described. Bartonella spp. infection, as determined by bacteremia, occurred in all 18 cotton rats inoculated with live Bartonella of each species at either a low dose, 10(3) colony-forming units (CFU's), or high dose, 10(7) CFU. Cotton rats inoculated with lower doses of Bartonella spp. developed higher bacteremia that persisted for longer periods than in those inoculated with high doses. Peak bacteremia varied among Bartonella spp, ranging from 10(4) to 10(6) CFUs per 1.0 ml of blood. Antibody measured by immunofluorescence assays using species-specific antigens indicated more rapidly rising and higher antibody titers in cotton rats challenged with high doses vs. low doses and with inactivated bacteria vs. live bacteria. Each group of rats produced high IgG titers to the homologous challenge antigen; low or unmeasurable cross-reactivity was detected to heterologous Bartonella antigens. Exposure of cotton rats to a specific Bartonella sp. resulted in protection, as measured by detectable bacteremia, in eight of nine animals challenged with the same Bartonella sp. used initially; no evidence of resistance to secondary challenge with different Bartonella spp. was obtained. Cross-protection between Bartonella spp., isolated from the same rodent species, may not occur.
Animals↗
Genetic classification and differentiation of Bartonella species based on comparison of partial ftsZ gene sequences.
Currently, 19 species are recognized in the genus Bartonella, 7 of which are involved in an increasing variety of human diseases. Development of molecular tools for detection, identification, and subtyping of strains and isolates has promoted research on Bartonella spp. We amplified and sequenced the portion of the ftsZ gene encoding the N-terminal region of the cell division protein for 13 Bartonella species: Bartonella alsatica, B. birtlesii, B. doshiae, B. elizabethae, B. grahami, B. koehlerae, B. schoenbuchensis, B. taylorii, B. tribocorum, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. arupensis, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. vinsonii, and B. bovis Bermond et al.("B. weissii"). Phylogenetically derived trees revealed four statistically supported groups, indicating that sequencing of the ftsZ gene is a useful tool for identifying evolutionary relationships among Bartonella species. Furthermore, we amplified and sequenced the portion of the ftsZ gene encoding the C-terminal region of the protein for 4 B. bacilliformis isolates, 14 B. clarridgeiae isolates, 14 B. quintana isolates, and 30 B. henselae isolates that were obtained from different geographic regions, hosts, and clinical specimens. B. clarridgeiae and B. quintana sequences were highly conserved, while those of the four B. bacilliformis isolates differed from the type strain at 5 positions. Among B. henselae strains isolated from cats and patients, only two genotypes were detected: Houston and Marseille. Among 80 clinical samples we detected Bartonella spp. in 35 (43.75%) and found the assay to be comparable to that of a combined intergenic-spacer-region- and pap31-based PCR assay. Our results show the usefulness of the portion of the ftsZ gene encoding the C-terminal region for diagnosis of Bartonella infections. More samples should be tested to study its usefulness for epidemiological investigations.
Bacterial Proteins↗
[Cat-scratch disease and disease caused by Bartonella (Rochalimaea)].
The aetiology of cat scratch disease remains controversial since both Afipia felis and Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae have been isolated from diseased lymph nodes. Bartonella henselae, Bartonella (Rochalimaea) quintana and Bartonella (Rochalimaea) elizabethae cause endocarditis and Bartonella bacilliformis cause septicemia (Oroya's fever) in non-immunocompromized patients, and Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana cause fever, bacillary angiomatosis, and visceral peliosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Bartonella quintana is the historical agent of trench fever and we recently isolated it from chronic adenopathy. The diagnosis of Afipia felis and Bartonella infections relies upon the isolation of the bacterium from blood, node tissue after inoculation of cell cultures systems and molecular identification, and upon the serology. In vitro both species are sensitive to aminoglycosides, and we recommend aminoglycosides be included in antibiotic regimens for treating cat scratch disease and Bartonella infections.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Rapid identification and differentiation of Bartonella species using a single-step PCR assay.
Five species of Bartonella have been reported to infect humans and cause a variety of diseases that can be difficult to diagnose. Four species of Bartonella have been reported to infect cats and dogs, and two of these species are considered to be zoonotic pathogens. Diagnosis of Bartonella infections is hampered by the slow, fastidious growth characteristics of Bartonella species. We report on the development of a single-step PCR-based assay for the detection and differentiation of medically relevant Bartonella species. PCR-mediated amplification of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic region resulted in a product of a unique size for each Bartonella species, thereby allowing differentiation without the necessity of restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis or sequencing of the amplified product. The ability of the single-step PCR assay to differentiate between Bartonella species was determined with characterized isolates and blood samples from animals known to be infected with either Bartonella henselae, B. clarridgeiae, or B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii. The sensitivity of the single-step PCR assay relative to that of in vitro culture was determined with blood samples from B. henselae-infected cats. B. henselae target DNA was amplified from 100% of samples with greater than 50 CFU/ml and 80% of samples with 10 to 30 CFU/ml. The single-step assay described in the report expedites PCR-based detection and differentiation of medically relevant Bartonella species.
Animals↗
Identification of Bartonella strains isolated from wild and domestic ruminants by a single-step PCR analysis of the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region.
Of the 20 species or subspecies of Bartonella currently known, 7 cause various diseases in humans with many being zoonotic. However, some Bartonella species appear only to cause asymptomatic bacteraemia in their hosts. In ruminants, three Bartonella species (B. bovis, B. capreoli and B. schoenbuchensis) have recently been described. However, limited or no information has yet been published concerning their mode of transmission and their possible pathogenicity for domestic cattle. The phylogenetic relationship of these species with other bacteria of the Bartonella genus has only been recently investigated. It is therefore necessary to develop appropriate tools that will easily allow identification of these ruminant strains for epidemiological and clinical studies. A single-step PCR assay, based on the amplification of a fragment of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (ITS), was evaluated for identification of Bartonella isolated from domestic cattle and from free-ranging or captive cervids. For each Bartonella species tested, the PCR assay led to a product that was unique either for its length or its sequence. All ruminant isolates tested could be easily differentiated among themselves and from the other Bartonella species. Furthermore, sequence analysis of the PCR products revealed a close relationship between all ruminant Bartonella strains. Therefore, ITS PCR testing appears to be a convenient tool for a quick diagnosis of ruminant Bartonella species.
Animals↗
Prevalence of Bartonella infection in wild African lions (Panthera leo) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).
Bartonella species are emerging pathogens that have been isolated worldwide from humans and other mammals. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of Bartonella infection in free-ranging African lions (Panthera leo) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Blood and/or serum samples were collected from a convenience sample of 113 lions and 74 cheetahs captured in Africa between 1982 and 2002. Whole blood samples available from 58 of the lions and 17 of the cheetahs were cultured for evidence of Bartonella spp., and whole blood from 54 of the 58 lions and 73 of the 74 cheetahs tested for the presence of Bartonella DNA by TaqMan PCR. Serum samples from the 113 lions and 74 cheetahs were tested for the presence of antibodies against Bartonella henselae using an immunofluorescence assay. Three (5.2%) of the 58 lions and one (5.9%) of the 17 cheetahs were bacteremic. Two lions were infected with B. henselae, based on PCR/RFLP of the citrate synthase gene. The third lion and the cheetah were infected with previously unidentified Bartonella strains. Twenty-three percent of the 73 cheetahs and 3.7% of the 54 lions tested by TaqMan PCR were positive for Bartonella spp. B. henselae antibody prevalence was 17% (19/113) for the lions and 31% (23/74) for the cheetahs. The prevalence of seropositivity, bacteremia, and positive TaqMan PCR was not significantly different between sexes and age categories (juvenile versus adult) for both lions and cheetahs. Domestic cats are thus no longer the only known carriers of Bartonella spp. in Africa. Translocation of B. henselae seronegative and TaqMan PCR negative wild felids might be effective in limiting the spread of Bartonella infection.
Acinonyx↗