Sketchy Micro: Bartonella Henselae

Question 1

Bartonella henselae is what kind of bacteria?

Answer 1

Gram-negative, though it Gram stains poorly and requires a Warthin-Starry silver stain

(Think of the RED pillow that the leopard is on and the Starry-night replica with silver highlights in the background.)

Question 2

A woman comes in with ______________, and – without even asking about scratches –you’re able to diagnose her with cat-scratch fever from Bartonella.

Answer 2

axillary lymphadenopathy

Think of the woman petting the leopard with swollen bumps in the armpit of her blouse.

Question 3

What disease can Bartonella henselae cause in immunocompromised people?

Answer 3

Bacillary angiomatosis, also transmitted by scratches but presenting with round vascular lesions all over the body

(Think of the guy with the cane –symbolizing being immunocompromised –with scratches on his hand and red, round lesions on his coat.)

Note: bacillary angiomatosis resembles Kaposi sarcoma, and you can’t actually distinguish the two without a culture.

Question 4

What drugs treat Bartonella?

Answer 4

Tetracycline and macrolides

Think of the large bike wheel in front of the leopard and the crows flying off into the sky.