Some Bartonella Infections
Species | Manifestations* | At Risk | Insect Vector | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
B. henselae, B. quintana | Multiple papules and subcutaneous nodules (purple to bright red skin lesions) Disseminated visceral disease Lymphadenopathy Hepatosplenomegaly | Immunocompromised patients | Lice, fleas | |
B. quintana | Prolonged or recurrent fever | People living in conditions of crowding or poor hygiene Immunocompromised patients | Body louse | |
B. henselae | Regional lymphadenopathy, painless papules Fever Endocarditis (often in patients who have had a predisposing valvular heart disorder) Encephalopathy Neuroretinitis | Owners of cats Immunocompromised patients | Possibly cat fleas (which also transmit the organism among cats) | |
Oroya fever, verruga peruana (Carrión disease) | ||||
B. bacilliformis | Oroya fever: Acute febrile hemolytic anemia Verruga peruana: Skin lesions similar to those in bacillary angiomatosis Salmonella bacteremia Secondary infections | Residents of the Andes Mountains at elevations of 600–2400 m | Phlebotomus sandflies | |
* In normal host. | ||||
† Treatment of uncomplicated cat-scratch disease is not usually required in patients with a normal immune system, but it is often given to possibly decrease the duration of symptoms (1). | ||||