Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Bartonella henselae bacteremia in a father and daughter with neurological disease
Abstract
Background: Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii is an important, emerging, intravascular
bacterial pathogen that has been recently isolated from immunocompetent patients with
endocarditis, arthritis, neurological disease and vasoproliferative neoplasia. Vector
transmission is suspected among dogs and wild canines, which are the primary reservoir
hosts. This investigation was initiated to determine if pets and family members were
infected with one or more Bartonella species. Methods: PCR and enrichment blood culture
in Bartonella alpha Proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) was used to determine infection
status. Antibody titers to B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii genotypes I-III and B. henselae
were determined using a previously described indirect fluorescent antibody test. Two
patients were tested sequentially for over a year to assess the response to antibiotic
treatment. Results: Intravascular infection with B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii genotype
II and Bartonella henselae (Houston 1 strain) were confirmed in a veterinarian and
his daughter by enrichment blood culture, followed by PCR and DNA sequencing. Symptoms
included progressive weight loss, muscle weakness, lack of coordination (the father)
and headaches, muscle pain and insomnia (the daughter). B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii
genotype II was also sequenced from a cerebrospinal fluid BAPGM enrichment culture
and from a periodontal swab sample. After repeated courses of antibiotics, post-treatment
blood cultures were negative, there was a decremental decrease in antibody titers
to non-detectable levels and symptoms resolved in both patients. Conclusions: B. vinsonii
subsp. berkhoffii and B. henselae are zoonotic pathogens that can be isolated from
the blood of immunocompetent family members with arthralgias, fatigue and neurological
symptoms. Therapeutic elimination of Bartonella spp. infections can be challenging,
and follow-up testing is recommended. An increasing number of arthropod vectors, including
biting flies, fleas, keds, lice, sandflies and ticks have been confirmed or are suspected
as the primary mode of transmission of Bartonella species among animal populations
and may also pose a risk to human beings.
Type
Journal articlePermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/5947Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1186/1756-3305-3-29Citation
Breitschwerdt, E., R. Maggi, et al. (2010). "Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii
and Bartonella henselae bacteremia in a father and daughter with neurological disease."
Parasites & Vectors 3(1): 29.
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Paul Michael Lantos
Professor of Medicine
I am interested in the spatial epidemiology of infectious diseases. My research utilizes
geographic information systems (GIS) and geostatistical analyses to understand the
spatial and spatiotemporal distribution of diseases, and their relationship with environmental
and demographic factors. I currently have active studies evaluating the spatial distribution
of numerous domestic and international infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19),
cytomegalovirus, influenza, and Lyme disease. A
Christopher Wildrick Woods
Professor of Medicine
1. Emerging Infections 2. Global Health 3. Epidemiology of infectious diseases
4. Clinical microbiology and diagnostics 5. Bioterrorism Preparedness 6. Surveillance
for communicable diseases 7. Antimicrobial resistance
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