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Prevalence of Bartonella henselae bacteremia, the causative agent of cat scratch disease, in an Australian cat population.

In order to determine the prevalence of Bartonella henselae becteremia in an Australian cat population we examined blood cultures on a group of Sydney cats. Cats referred to the Concord Animal Hospital for euthanasia were selected randomly for blood culture and serum sampling. Blood samples were lysed and centrifuged and then cultured for up to five weeks. Suspicious colonies were identified biochemically as probable B. henselae. Selected isolates were confirmed as B. henselae using the polymerase chain reaction. Of the cats accrued throughout Sydney, 27/77 (35%) were culture positive for B. henselae, of these 24/59 (40%) were feral cats and 3/18 (16%) were domestic. Most cats in the study were younger than one year (mean 9.9 months). Our study demonstrates that bacteremia with B. henselae is common in the metropolitan cat population and suggests that it is particularly prevalent among feral animals. By contrast Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) is a relatively uncommon clinical diagnosis in the Australian population. Explanations for this discrepancy may include poor transmission, low bacterial virulence and underdiagnosis. It is possible that feral animals are a greater potential risk source for this infection than domestic cats.

Animals↗

[Treatment of bite wounds and cat-scratch disease].

Although rabies is the most serious consequence of animal bite injuries, in urban rabies-free countries the risk of rabies is far lower than the risk of bacterial infections of the wound. The most frequent etiologic cause of the wound infections after dog bites is Pasteurella multocida, as well as in the case of bites by cats, after which cat-scratch disease may also develop, its main cause being Bartonella henselae. All bite injuries must be carefully cleaned and disinfected; it is necessary to estimate the need of antirabies and antitetanus protection, and to introduce antibiotic treatment for prevention, particularly in the case of deep sting wounds caused mostly by cats.

Animals↗

Survey of veterinary professionals for antibodies to Bartonella henselae in Japan.

The seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae among veterinary professionals in Japan was investigated by means of an immunoperoxidase (IP) test that used protein A-horseradish peroxidase conjugate. Sera were obtained from 233 veterinary professionals in the Tokyo and Chiba areas. As negative control group, sera from 155 healthy individuals (all medical students) were used. As positive control group, sera from 5 patients highly suspected of cat scratch disease (CSD) by clinical symptoms were tested. Serum antibody titers of > or = 200 to B. henselae were presumed seropositive, because the titer at which about 95.5% of all healthy individuals (148 of the 155) were negative, and 2 of the 5 suspected CSD patients' serum antibody titers were > or = 200. Of the individuals in the veterinary professionals group tested, 35 of the 233 (15.0%) were seropositive for B. henselae. Females were nearly twice as likely as males to have antibodies to B. henselae in the veterinary professionals group. Our data suggest that Japanese veterinary professionals, and in particular younger females who are veterinary assistants and animal beauticians are more often infected by B. henselae.

Adolescent↗

Interaction of Bartonella henselae with endothelial cells results in bacterial aggregation on the cell surface and the subsequent engulfment and internalisation of the bacterial aggregate by a unique structure, the invasome.

Vascular colonisation by Bartonella henselae may cause vaso-proliferative tumour growth with clumps of bacteria found in close association with proliferating endothelial cells. By using B. henselae-infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells as an in vitro model for endothelial colonisation, we report here on a novel mechanism of cellular invasion by bacteria. First, the leading lamella of endothelial cells establishes cellular contact to sedimented bacteria and mediates bacterial aggregation by rearward transport on the cell surface. Subsequently, the formed bacterial aggregate is engulfed and internalised by a unique host cellular structure, the invasome. Completion of this sequence of events requires 24 hours. Cortical F-actin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and phosphotyrosine are highly enriched in the membrane protrusions entrapping the bacterial aggregate. Actin stress fibres, which are anchored to the numerous focal adhesion plaques associated with the invasome structure, are typically found to be twisted around its basal part. The formation of invasomes was found to be inhibited by cytochalasin D but virtually unaffected by nocodazole, colchicine or taxol, indicating that invasome-mediated invasion is an actin-dependent and microtubuli-independent process. Bacterial internalisation via the invasome was consistently observed with several clinical isolates of B. henselae, while a spontaneous mutant obtained from one of these isolates was impaired in invasome-mediated invasion. Instead, this mutant showed increased uptake of bacteria into perinuclear localising phagosomes, suggesting that invasome-formation may interfere with this alternative mechanism of bacterial internalisation. Internalisation via the invasome represents a novel paradigm for the invasion of bacteria into host cells which may serve as a cellular colonisation mechanism in vivo, e.g. on proliferating and migrating endothelial cells during Bartonella-induced vaso-proliferative tumour growth.

Actins↗

Ocular manifestation of cat-scratch disease in HIV-positive patients.

PURPOSE: To characterize ocular manifestations of cat-scratch disease in HIV-positive patients. DESIGN: Retrospective case series study. METHODS: Records and photography of patients with the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease and HIV were reviewed. RESULTS: From 2001 and 2004 three patients with cat-scratch disease and HIV were identified. All patients presented with subretinal mass associated with an abnormal vascular network. Fluorescein angiography revealed this abnormal vascular network more clearly. All patients were treated with antibiotics alone with good response. CONCLUSIONS: Subretinal mass associated with abnormal vascular network is characteristic of cat-scratch disease in HIV-positive patients. Fluorescein angiography is important to characterize this vascular pattern, and patients may benefit from systemic treatment.

Adult↗

Bartonella serology for patients with intraocular inflammatory disease.

PURPOSE: To determine the role of Bartonella henselae in intraocular inflammatory disease and identify its clinical features. METHODS: We retrospectively determined the serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies against B. henselae and Bartonella quintana by enzyme immunoassays in stored sera of 138 consecutive newly referred patients with uveitis who, during the acute stage of their ocular disease, underwent a standardized screening protocol to determine the cause of uveitis. RESULTS: For the entire series, the frequency of high positive levels of IgG (above 1:900) or IgM (above 1:300) antibody against B. henselae was 6% (8/138) and 3% (4/138), respectively. Except for cross-reactions between B. henselae and B. quintana, we did not find additional evidence for cross-reactions among the various bacteria tested (Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia pneumoniae). All patients with proven infectious uveitis (n = 21) and those with established uveitic entities (n = 37) had negative B. henselae serology. High positive IgG levels were observed in 9% of patients (5/54) with unknown cause of uveitis, in two subjects with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 positive uveitis, and in one with sarcoidosis. Five patients with uveitis of unknown origin and highly elevated IgG levels against B. henselae exhibited clinical features characterized by papillitis with surrounding retinal focal lesions or edema. CONCLUSIONS: The serologic and clinical data indicate that uveitis in seropositive cases may be caused by B. henselae. We do not recommend including testing for B. henselae in initial screening of patients with uveitis, but consider it worthwhile for those with papillitis and screening results within normal limits.

Aged↗

Disciforme keratitis caused by Bartonella henselae: an unusual ocular complication in cat scratch disease.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a common infectious disease, however, its association with disciforme keratitis is a previously unreported ocular complication. With the use of the 16S rDNA-PCR technique with subsequent DANN sequencing on corneal material obtained by corneal scrape we were able to identify Bartonella henselae in an unusual form of disciforme keratitis.

Aged↗

[Nanobacteria--microbiological characteristics].

We have reviewed recent publications regarding the microbiological characteristic and pathogenicity of a novel infectious agent, the mineral-forming, sterile-filterable, slow-growing Gram-negative Nanobacteria, detected in bovine/human blood, kidney cyst fluid, urine and kidney stones. According to their 16S rDNA structure, nanobacteria belong to the alpha-2 Proteobacteria, subgroup, which includes the Brucella and Bartonella species. Their cell diameter is 0.2-0.5 microm (the smallest known cell-walled bacteria). Their most remarkable characteristic is the formation of carbonate apatite crystals of neutral pH and at physiologic phosphate and calcium concentrations. The extracellular mineralization forms a hard protective shelter for these hardy microorganisms, and enables them to survive conditions of physical stress that would be lethal to most other bacterial species. The Olavi Kajander group (Finland) suggests that the apatite produced by nanobacteria may play a key role in the formation of all kidney stones, by providing a central calcium phosphate deposit around which other crystalline components can collect. Nanobacteria seems to be a causative agent of diseases related to biomineralization processes.

Animals↗

Ocular bartonellosis.

PURPOSE: To review recent advances in the basic and clinical biology of Bartonella-related eye disease. METHOD: A review of the pertinent medical literature was performed. RESULTS: A number of novel Bartonella species have been identified over the past decade. Of these, Bartonella henselae, the etiologic agent in cat scratch disease, is most often associated with ocular complications, which may include Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, neuroretinitis, and focal retinochoroiditis. Although cat and flea exposure appear to be the main risk factors for contracting cat scratch disease, the diagnosis of ocular bartonellosis relies primarily on the recognition of suggestive clinical signs in conjunction with positive serologic testing. B. henselae-associated ocular complications are usually self-limited but may be treated with doxycycline or erythromycin, with or without rifampin, when the infections are severe or sight-threatening. CONCLUSIONS: B. henselae infection is common and should be considered in patients with Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, neuroretinitis, or focal retinochoroiditis, particularly when there is a history of cat or flea exposure.

Animals↗

Bartonella henselae IgG antibodies are prevalent in dogs from southeastern USA.

In contrast to the large body of literature regarding Bartonella henselae in humans and cats, there is little information about B. henselae as an infectious agent in dogs. Due to the paucity of information regarding the B. henselae serology in dogs, we performed a cross-sectional serosurvey using B. henselae antigen in order to compare the seroprevalence between sick and healthy dogs from the south-eastern USA. Ninety-nine sera were collected from clinically healthy dogs. Three hundred and one sera from sick dogs were submitted to North Carolina State University for serologic screening against a panel of arthropod-transmitted organisms. Serological tests were performed using B. henselae (Bh), Rickettsia rickettsii (Rr), Ehrlichia canis (Ec), Bartonella vinsonii subspecies berkhoffii (Bvb), Babesia canis (Bc) and Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) antigens. Serum B. henselae IgG antibodies were detected in 10.1% of healthy dogs and in 27.2% of sick dogs. The difference in seroprevalence between the two groups was statistically significant. The majority of seroreactive dogs (80%) had low titers of 1:64 or 1:128. In healthy dogs, seroprevalence for Rr was 14.1% and for Bvb was 1%. In sick dogs, Rr seroprevalence was 29.7%, Ec 6.5%, Bvb 4.7%, Bb 1.7% and Bc was 0.85%. Of the sick dogs that were seroreactive to B. henselae antigens, 40.6% were also seroreactive to Rr, 15.0% reactive to Bvb antigens, 14.8% reactive to Ec antigens, 1.8% reactive to Bc antigens and 1.75% reactive to Bb antigens. Sera from dogs experimentally infected with B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, E. canis or R. rickettsii did not cross react with B. henselae antigens, by IFA testing. This study indicates that B. henselae IgG antibodies are prevalent in healthy and sick dogs living in the south-eastern USA. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical and zoonotic relevance of B. henselae infection in dogs.

Angiomatosis, Bacillary↗

Infection and blood transfusion: a guide to donor screening.

In recent years, blood-component therapy has become more accessible in veterinary practice. As with human medicine, care must be taken to minimize the risk of disease transmission from donor to recipient. Determining the appropriate diseases to screen for is complicated by regional variations in disease incidence, the existence of chronic carrier states for some diseases, the difficulty in screening-test selection, and testing cost. The feline diseases considered include retroviral infections, feline coronaviruses, ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis-like), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), neorickettsiosis (Neorickettsia risticii), hemoplasmosis (Mycoplasma hemofelis and M. hemominutum, previously feline hemobartonellosis), and cytauxzoonosis (Cytauxzoon felis). The canine diseases considered in this paper include babesiosis (Babesia canis and B. gibsonii,) ehrlichiosis (E. canis and E. ewingii), anaplasmosis (A. phagocytophilum), neorickettsiosis (N. risticii var. atypicalis), leishmaniasis (Leishmania donovani complex), brucellosis (Brucella canis), hemoplasmosis (M. hemocanis, previously canine hemobartonellosis), and bartonellosis (Bartonella vinsonii).

Animals↗

Clinicopathologic findings in dogs seroreactive to Bartonella henselae antigens.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential clinical relevance of seroreactivity to Bartonella henselae antigens in dogs. ANIMALS: 40 dogs seroreactive to B henselae and 45 dogs that did not seroreact to B henselae. PROCEDURE: A case-control study was conducted. Clinical and clinicopathologic findings were extracted from medical records of each dog. RESULTS: Statistical differences were not detected between dogs seroreactive or nonseroreactive to B henselae when analyzed on the basis of disease category or results of hematologic, biochemical, urine, or cytologic analysis. However, seroreactivity to B henselae antigens was detected in 2 of 4 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of granulomatous meningoencephalitis, 3 of 4 dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, 3 of 4 dogs with infective endocarditis, 2 of 3 dogs with lymphoid neoplasia, and 5 of 10 dogs with polyarthritis. Additionally, seroreactivity to B henselae antigens was detected in 18 of 34 thrombocytopenic dogs and 14 of 27 dogs with neutrophilia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Significant associations were not detected between seroreactivity to B henselae and various diseases. Prospective epidemiologic studies investigating specific diseases, such as meningoencephalitis or polyarthritis, and specific hematologic abnormalities, such as immunemediated hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia, should be conducted to further define the potential clinical relevance of antibodies against B henselae in dogs. IMPACT FOR HUMAN MEDICINE: Bartonella organisms are increasingly reported as pathogens that induce are increasingly reported as pathogens that induce chronic infections in humans and dogs. Dogs may serve as natural candidates for future study of the disease in humans.

Animals↗

Cloning and characterization of an outer membrane protein (Lip18) from Helicobacter bizzozeronii.

A recombinant lambda-Zap II phage was selected by screening a genomic library of Helicobacter bizzozeronii (Hb) using antibodies from a naturally infected cat. DNA sequencing resulted an open reading frame containing 172 codons with a predicted molecular mass of 18 kDa (Lip18). The amino acid sequence showed 22.1, 55.2, 56.7 and 57.1% identity to peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein of Helicobacter pylori, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Bartonella bacilliformis, respectively. A peptidoglycan associating alpha-helical motif (LALGQRRSVAVRDYLVS) was located in the C-terminal region. H. bizzozeronii contains a potential lipoprotein signal peptide cleavage site (Val-Val-Gly-Cys), and yields a predicted mature protein with 148 amino acids. The Lip18 was localized into the outer membrane of the bacteria. Immunoblot analysis of serum samples from a dog and cat naturally infected with Helicobacter spp was able to recognize the purified recombinant Lip18.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Chronic canine ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis): a retrospective study of 19 natural cases.

Nineteen dogs from Greece with chronic ehrlichiosis were studied. The dogs exhibited bicytopenia or pancytopenia, bone marrow hypoplasia, seroreactivity to Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) antigens, and had no history of drug or radiation exposure. Anorexia, depression, severe bleeding tendencies, hypoalbuminemia, and increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity were also hallmarks of the disease. All these animals eventually died, irrespective of the treatment applied. Some dogs were also serologically positive for Rickettsia conorii, Leishmania infantum (L. infantum), and Bartonella vinsonii subspp. berkhoffii. Polymerase chain reaction testing of bone marrow samples revealed E. canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilia, Anaplasma platys, and L. infantum in some dogs. Concurrent infections did not appear to substantially influence the clinical course and final outcome of the chronic canine ehrlichiosis.

Animals↗

Experimental transmission of Bartonella henselae by the cat flea.

Bartonella henselae is an emerging bacterial pathogen, causing cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis. Cats bacteremic with B. henselae constitute a large reservoir from which humans become infected. Prevention of human infection depends on elucidation of the natural history and means of feline infection. We studied 47 cattery cats in a private home for 12 months to determine the longitudinal prevalence of B. henselae bacteremia, the prevalence of B. henselae in the fleas infesting these cats, and whether B. henselae is transmitted experimentally to cats via fleas. Vector-mediated transmission of B.henselae isolates was evaluated by removing fleas from the naturally bacteremic, flea-infested cattery cats and transferring these fleas to specific-pathogen-free (SPF) kittens housed in a controlled, arthropod-free University Animal Facility. B. henselae bacteremia was detected in 89% of the 47 naturally infected cattery cats. A total of 132 fleas were removed from cats whose blood was simultaneously cultured during different seasons and were tested individually for the presence of B. henselae DNA by PCR. B. henselae DNA was detected in 34% of 132 fleas, with seasonal variation, but without an association between the presence or the level of bacteremia in the corresponding cat. Cat fleas removed from bacteremic cattery cats transmitted B. henselae to five SPF kittens in two separate experiments; however, control SPF kittens housed with highly bacteremic kittens in the absence of fleas did not become infected. These data demonstrate that the cat flea readily transmits B. henselae to cats. Control of feline infestation with this arthropod vector may provide an important strategy for the prevention of infection of both humans and cats.

Adult↗

Diagnostic methods current best practices and guidelines for identification of difficult-to-culture pathogens in infective endocarditis.

Culture-negative endocarditis currently represents a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Traditional methods such as histology, serology, and culture have been improved and new molecular techniques have been developed to improve the detection of difficult-to-culture agents. Serologic tests for the two most frequent etiologic agents, Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella spp, should be performed first because they can usually be identified easily in this way. The sensitivity of culture for intracellular bacteria has been improved by inoculation of samples in shell vials and by the use of novel tissue cell lines. Recently, universal and species-specific primers have been designated to amplify bacterial DNA directly from resected valves, allowing positive identification.

Bacteria↗