Bartonella henselae

Question 1

Physical description of bartonella

Answer 1

• G negative, rod
• looks like Rickettsia, but can grow on lab media
• attachment proteins to feline RBCs, spread by fleas
• intracellular in humans, not RBCs

Question 2

Clinical presentation of bartonella

Answer 2

1. cat scratch disease
   - papule at inoculation site
   - local swelling
   - fever
   - regional lymph not involvment
   - endocarditis
2. trench fever
   - 5 day recurring fever, headache, lymphadenopathy
3. bacilliary angiomatosis
   - proliferation of small spherical blood vessels in inflamed endothelial background
   - papular or tumoral lesion
   - may occur in organs
   - aids and immunocompromised

Question 3

Epidemiology of bartonella

Answer 3

1. B. henslae - by cat scratches and bites

2. B. quintana - by human head and body lice

Question 4

Pathogenesis of bartonella

Answer 4

• outer membrane binding protein
• T4SS and effector protein to penetrate endothelial cells
• produce CSF which stimulates NFkB and induces apoptosis

Question 5

Treatment of bartonella

Answer 5

• often none for Cat scratch

- Azithromycin and rifampin