38 Bartonella

Question 1

Which three strains of Bartonella are associeated with human disease?

Answer 1

• B. bacilliformis, B. henselae, B. quintana.

Question 2

Describe the structural morphology of Bartonella.

Answer 2

• G (-) aerobic rods w/ fastidious growth requirements.

Question 3

Which vectors are responsible for each strain of Bartonella?

Answer 3

• B. bacilliformis: sand flies
• B. henselae: cats and their fleas
• B. quintana: body lice

Question 4

Which disease is B. bacilliformis responsible for?

Answer 4

• Carrion disease, an acute febrile illness consisting of severe anemia (Oroya fever) followed by a chronic cutaneous form (verruga peruana).

Question 5

Which disease is B. quintana responsible for?

Answer 5

• Trench fever: disease prevalent in WWI; Severe headaches, fever, weakness and pain in long bones (fever recur in 5-days, hence the name).

Question 6

Which disease is B. henselae responsible for?

Answer 6

• Bacillary angionmatosis, cat-scratch disease

Question 7

What is the treatment for Bartonella infections?

Answer 7

• Oral chloramphenicol, doxycycline or rifampin.