What is bartonella disease

Common illnesses associated with animal contact include Rabies, Brucellosis, Blastomycosis, and Plague. Cat Scratch Disease Bartonella henselae Cat scratch disease CSD , also called cat scratch fever, is a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae, which is generally spread to people through cat bites or scratches.

About Cat Scratch Disease CSD facts including how the disease is spread, common symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention information. These species have different reservoir hosts, and about half of them can cause a range of diseases in humans, including:. This means that accurate diagnosis of a Bartonella infection requires testing technology designed to detect different species of the bacteria.

While most cases of Bartonellosis disease are spread through the bites or scratches of infected cats, Bartonellosis has also been found to be spread by ticks. In fact, the same blacklegged ticks also known as deer ticks that cause Lyme disease have been found to carry and transmit Bartonella. As mentioned above, the disease and symptoms caused by a Bartonella infection depend on what species of Bartonella has been transmitted.

Covered below are a few common types of Bartonella , their reservoir hosts, their vectors how they are transmitted , and the diseases they cause. It is named after clinical microbiology technologist Diane Marie Hensel, who collected strains and samples of the bacteria in The bacteria was officially classified in However, it can also be spread to humans by cat or dog fleas, and by ticks.

In addition to CSD, B. Cats contract B. Cat fleas are thought to amplify the B. In recent years it has been believed that B. The disease presents in two distinct phases, with the bacteria invading the erythrocytes during the acute phase and the endothelial cells during the chronic phase.

The animals listed in the table below can harbor infected fleas or ticks that carry Bartonella. The disease occurs most frequently in children under 15 years. The symptoms of Bartonella can vary from mild to severe, and usually begin 5 to 14 days after infection. Common symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue, poor appetite, brain fog, muscle pain, and swollen glands around the head, neck, and arms.

Symptoms specific to CSD comprise enlarged lymph nodes, a papule or pustule at the inoculation site, and on the rare occasion, complications affecting the brain, eye disorders, severe muscle pain, hepatosplenic infection, osteomyelitis, and encephalitis. These rare manifestations are more common in children younger than five years due to their weakened immune systems.

Infection by B. In immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV, the potentially fatal disease bacillary angiomatosis, caused by B.

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The information on Lyme disease presented on this web site has been reviewed and approved by one or more members of our Medical Leadership Board. Bartonella results in a disease called Bartonellosis Bartonella are bacteria that live primarily inside the lining of the blood vessels.

Several Species Of Bartonella Scientists have identified several species of bartonella. Bartonellosis Symptoms Historically, bartonellosis has been described as a mild, acute, and self-limiting illness. Learn more about Bartonella CDC reports that they have identified six strains of Bartonella in patients with chronic symptoms.

Bartonelleosis should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients exposed to tick bites. Next Page » Ehrlichia and Anaplasma.