RESUMEN
This study aimed to determine the sequence type (ST) of Bartonella henselae infecting small Indian mongooses from Saint Kitts via multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). This investigation used stored EDTA blood (n = 22) samples from mongooses previously identified as positive for B. henselae. Chocolate agar plates were enriched with Bartonella alpha-Proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) to culture and isolate Bartonella from the blood samples. To perform MLST, DNA was extracted and purified from isolates followed by amplification by conventional PCR (300-500 bp) for eight genes (16S rDNA, batR, gltA, groEL, ftsZ, nlpD, ribC, and rpoB). Bartonella henselae STs were deposited in the PubMLST repository. Out of 22 B. henselae-positive blood samples, isolates were obtained from 12 mongooses (54.5%; 12/22). Each mongoose was infected with one ST. The studied mongoose population was infected with sequence types ST2, ST3, ST8, and a novel ST represented by ST38. Bartonella henselae ST2, ST3 and ST8 infecting mongooses are known to circulate in humans and cats, with ST2 and ST8 associated with Cat Scratch Disease (bartonellosis) in humans. The results presented herein denote the circulation of B. henselae STs with zoonotic potential in mongooses with risk of B. henselae transmission to humans.
Asunto(s)
Bartonella henselae , Herpestidae , Bartonella henselae/genética , Bartonella henselae/aislamiento & purificación , Herpestidae/microbiología , Animales , Tipificación de Secuencias Multilocus , Filogenia , ADN Bacteriano/genética , India , HumanosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The genus Bartonella includes species and subspecies of fastidious, facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacilli that infect a wide variety of mammalian reservoirs including cats and humans. In 2022, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health reported an outbreak of cat scratch disease caused by B. henselae in the city of Guayaquil. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the presence of Bartonella spp. in domestic and stray cats from the area of Guayaquil where the outbreak happened in 2022. METHODS: Whole blood samples of 100 domestic and stray cats were collected. Riboflavin synthase (ribC) and 16S rRNA genes detection was performed by PCR using Bartonella spp. specific primers, followed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: 14 cats were positive for Bartonella spp. carriage. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of 12 cats infected with B. henselae and 2 cats with B. clarridgeiae. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of Bartonella spp. carriage in cats in the city of Guayaquil within the area where a recent cat scratch disease outbreak happened. Considering the high presence of cats and other domestic and stray animals in the city of Guayaquil, a One Health approach for surveillance and prevention of zoonotic diseases like cat scratch disease is needed.
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Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato , Brotes de Enfermedades , Filogenia , ARN Ribosómico 16S , Animales , Gatos , Ecuador/epidemiología , Brotes de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Bartonella/genética , Bartonella/aislamiento & purificación , Bartonella/clasificación , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/epidemiología , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/microbiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/microbiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Bartonella henselae/genética , Bartonella henselae/aislamiento & purificación , ARN Ribosómico 16S/genética , Infecciones por Bartonella/epidemiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/veterinaria , Infecciones por Bartonella/microbiología , Portador Sano/microbiología , Portador Sano/epidemiología , Portador Sano/veterinaria , Masculino , Femenino , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
A 26-year-old woman presented an eyelid lesion, after being scratched by a cat that had a similar skin lesion. It evolved into a cervical lymph node enlargement. With a hypothesis of Parinaud´s oculoglandular syndrome (POS) due to cat scratch disease (CSD), doxycycline was prescribed. After two weeks of treatment without improvement, a biopsy and blood sample were obtained. Itraconazole was prescribed and the skin lesion improved, but not the lymph node enlargement. A Sporothrix schenckii complex was isolated from the skin sample. Also, a specie-specific polymerase chain reaction detected Bartonella henselae DNA in her blood sample. Azithromycin was included to treat the bacterial infection, whereupon the lymph node also receded successfully. Sporotrichosis and CSD are zoonoses that can be transmitted to humans by traumatic inoculation due to scratches or bites from cats. Both can evolve with POS. Patients who present skin lesions and/or POS after being wounded by a cat should be investigated for both diseases.
Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos , Bartonella henselae , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato , Coinfección , Sporothrix , Esporotricosis , Femenino , Bartonella henselae/aislamiento & purificación , Bartonella henselae/genética , Humanos , Adulto , Sporothrix/aislamiento & purificación , Sporothrix/genética , Esporotricosis/microbiología , Esporotricosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Esporotricosis/diagnóstico , Coinfección/microbiología , Animales , Gatos , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/microbiología , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/complicaciones , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/diagnóstico , Azitromicina/uso terapéutico , Itraconazol/uso terapéutico , Doxiciclina/uso terapéutico , Piel/microbiología , Piel/patologíaRESUMEN
Leprosy reactions are among the main causes of physical disability resulting from an infectious disease and can culminate in irreversible physical disabilities, therefore they should be considered a clinical emergency, as well as the elucidation of its cause. Co-infections are considered one of the main triggering causes of leprosy reactions, aggravating and maintaining these reactions for longer in these patients. After reporting a high rate of Bartonella henselae infection in patients with chronic type 2 leprosy reaction, 19/47 (40.4 %) compared to the control group, 9/50 (18.0 %), p = 0.0149, we conducted this study to observe the rate of infection by Bartonella sp. in a group of patients with chronic type 1 leprosy reactions. Blood samples from 14 patients with chronic type 1 leprosy reactions were analyzed by molecular and microbiological tests and compared. The results showed that, like patients with chronic type 2 leprosy reactions, this group of patients has a high proportion of B. henselae infection 6/14 (42.9 %), p = 0.88. We conclude that these bacteria can trigger chronic leprosy reactions and should be investigated in all chronic leprosy reactions patients. Summary Line: Our results showed that, like patients with chronic type 2 leprosy reactions, this group of patients has the same proportion of B. henselae DNA detection 6/14 (42.9 %), p = 0.88.
Asunto(s)
Bartonella henselae , ADN Bacteriano , Humanos , Bartonella henselae/genética , Bartonella henselae/aislamiento & purificación , ADN Bacteriano/análisis , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/diagnóstico , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/microbiología , Coinfección/microbiología , Lepra/microbiología , Enfermedad Crónica , Adulto Joven , Factores de Tiempo , AncianoRESUMEN
Cat scratch disease (CSD) is caused by Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) and presents as lymphadenopathy following close contact with cats. However, in context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, clinical manifestations of CSD may vary, posing new challenges for healthcare professionals. Here we describe a case of a 54-year-old male with painful left upper arm mass, which gradually resolved until he was infected with COVID-19. The mass then rapidly progressed before admission. Meanwhile, pulmonary symptoms including pleural effusion emerged simultaneously. The cause was undetermined with routine blood culture and pathological test until the next generation sequencing (NGS) confirmed the presence of B. henselae. We believe this case is the first to report localized aggravation of CSD after COVID-19 infection and hopefully, offers treatment experience for clinicians worldwide.
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Bartonella henselae , COVID-19 , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato , Humanos , Masculino , COVID-19/complicaciones , COVID-19/microbiología , Bartonella henselae/genética , Bartonella henselae/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/microbiología , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/complicaciones , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/tratamiento farmacológico , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infección Latente , SARS-CoV-2RESUMEN
The diagnosis of long COVID often relies on symptoms post-COVID-19, occasionally lacking biological evidence. This case study illustrates how investigating long COVID uncovered an underlying bartonellosis through clinical metagenomics. Following mild COVID-19, a 26-year-old woman experienced persistent symptoms during 5 months, including axillary adenopathy. Pathological examination, 16 S rRNA PCR, and clinical metagenomic analysis were done on an adenopathy biopsy. The latter revealed Bartonella henselae DNA and RNA. Treatment with clarithromycin improved symptoms. This case underscores the relevance of clinical metagenomics in diagnosing hidden infections. Post-COVID symptoms warrant thorough investigation, and bartonellosis should be considered in polyadenopathy cases, regardless of a recent history of cat or flea exposures.
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Bartonella henselae , COVID-19 , Metagenómica , Humanos , Femenino , Bartonella henselae/genética , Bartonella henselae/aislamiento & purificación , Adulto , COVID-19/diagnóstico , COVID-19/complicaciones , Metagenómica/métodos , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Claritromicina/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cats are the primary reservoirs of the bacterium Bartonella henselae, the main cause of cat-scratch disease in humans. The main vector of the bacterium is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. In southeastern Europe, data are lacking on the prevalence of B. henselae infection in cats, the strains of B. henselae involved and the risk factors associated with the infection. METHODS: Blood samples collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-containing tubes from 189 domestic cats (156 pet cats and 33 stray cats) from Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, and 10 counties throughout Croatia were cultured for Bartonella spp. Following culture, bacterial isolates were genotyped at eight loci after using PCR to amplify 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and the internal transcribed spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA sequences. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for B. henselae infection in cats. RESULTS: Bartonella spp. was detected in 31 cats (16.4%), and subsequent genotyping at the eight loci revealed B. henselae in all cases. Thirty complete multilocus sequence typing profiles were obtained, and the strains were identified as four sequence types that had been previously reported, namely ST5 (56.7%), ST6 (23.3%), ST1 (13.3%) and ST24 (3.3%), as well as a novel sequence type, ST33 (3.3%). The univariate analysis revealed a significantly higher risk of B. henselae infection in cats residing in coastal areas of Croatia (odds ratio [OR] 2.592, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.150-5.838; P = 0.0191) and in cats with intestinal parasites (OR 3.207, 95% CI 1.088-9.457; P = 0.0279); a significantly lower risk was identified in cats aged > 1 year (OR 0.356, 95% CI 0.161-0.787; P = 0.0247) and in cats sampled between April and September (OR 0.325, 95% CI 0.147-0.715; P = 0.005). The multivariate analysis that controlled for age showed a positive association with the presence of intestinal parasites (OR 4.241, 95% CI 1.243-14.470; P = 0.0119) and coastal residence (OR 2.567, 95% CI 1.114-5.915; P = 0.0216) implying increased risk of infection, and a negative association with sampling between April and September (OR 0.379, 95% CI 0.169-0.848; P = 0.018) implying a decreased risk of infection. After controlling for the season, an increased risk of infection remained for the coastal region (OR 2.725, 95% CI 1.200-6.186; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Bartonella henselae is prevalent throughout Croatia and is a public health threat. Environmental and host factors can significantly affect the risk of infection, and these should be explored in more detail. The presence of intestinal parasites highlights the need to eliminate the flea vector, Ctenocephalides felis, as the most effective approach to control infections in cats and humans.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato , Ctenocephalides , Animales , Gatos , Humanos , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/epidemiología , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/microbiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/epidemiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/veterinaria , Infecciones por Bartonella/microbiología , Croacia/epidemiología , Bartonella henselae/genética , Factores de Riesgo , Ctenocephalides/microbiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The study aimed to determine the inter and intra-host Bartonella spp. genetic diversity in cats from Chile. 'Seventy-nine cats' blood DNA samples qPCR Bartonella spp. positive were subjected to T-A cloning of Bartonella spp. rpoB partial gene (825â¯bp), and sequencing by Sanger method. The sequences were submitted to phylogenetic and polymorphism analysis. Thirty-six (45.6%) samples were successfully cloned, generating 118 clones of which 109 showed 99.6%-100% identity with Bartonella henselae whereas 9 showed 99.8-100% identity with Bartonella koehlerae. Haplotype analysis yielded 29 different rpoB-B. henselae haplotypes, one (hap#2) overrepresented in 31 out of 33 cats, and 4 rpoB-B. koehlerae haplotypes, with hap#2 represented in all 3 B. koehlerae infected cats. More than one rpoB -B. henselae and B. koehlerae haplotypes were identified in individual cats, reporting by first time coinfection by different B. henselae/B. koehlerae rpoB variants in cats from Chile.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Gatos , Animales , Haplotipos , Infecciones por Bartonella/epidemiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/veterinaria , Chile/epidemiología , Filogenia , Bartonella/genética , Bartonella henselae/genética , Variación Genética , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and genetic characteristics of Bartonella quintana in pet cats from Urmia City, located in the northwest of Iran. Blood samples were collected from 200 cats, and their age, gender, and breed were noted. Nested-PCR and sequencing were used to identify B. quintana in positive samples, and the ftsZ gene sequences were analyzed using BioEdit software. The gene sequence obtained in this study exhibited 100.00 % similarity to reference sequences in the GenBank® database, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA11. The results revealed that 15 % of the cats (30 out of 200 blood samples) tested positive for the B. quintana gene, with a 95 % confidence interval of 10.71 % to 20.61 %.
Asunto(s)
Bartonella henselae , Bartonella quintana , Bartonella , Animales , Gatos , Bartonella quintana/genética , Filogenia , Bartonella henselae/genética , Irán , Genómica , Bartonella/genéticaRESUMEN
Leprosy reactions are an acute inflammatory phenomenon that can arise before diagnosis, during treatment, or after cure of leprosy. These reactions are considered one of the main diseases that cause physical disabilities. Immunosuppressive treatment for these immune responses makes these patients susceptible to coinfections, which can trigger new leprosy reactions. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of infection by Bartonella sp. in blood samples from 47 patients who had untreatable episodes of type 2 leprosy reactions for more than six months, comparing them with a control group. Cultures and molecular methods (PCR) were used. Amplicons from species-specific reactions and sequencing showed a higher prevalence of Bartonella henselae infection in patients, 19/47 (40.4 %), compared to control, 9/50 (18.0 %), p = 0.0149. Five patients accepted treatment for coinfection, and all showed improvement in leprosy reactions with treatment for B. henselae infection. We conclude that these bacteria can trigger chronic reactions of type 2 leprosy and should be investigated in these patients. SUMMARY LINE: Patients who have chronic type 2 leprosy reactions are more susceptible to Bartonella henselae infection than controls: 19/47 (40.4 %) compared 9/50 (18.0 %), p = 0.0149.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato , Coinfección , Lepra , Humanos , Bartonella henselae/genética , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/diagnóstico , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/microbiología , Bartonella/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , Infecciones por Bartonella/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Bartonella/epidemiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/microbiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Bartonella henselae is one of the most commonly identified Bartonella species associated with several human diseases. Although B. henselae was detected in humans and cats in Turkey, they have not been genotyped previously. Therefore, this study aimed to genotype B. henselae samples (n = 44) isolated from stray cats using the multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) method. For this aim, eight different housekeeping markers were amplified by nested PCR and then sequenced to reveal sequence types (STs) of B. henselae samples. RESULTS: Allelic profiles obtained from 40 B. henselae isolates (90.9%) were compatible with available allelic profiles in the MLST online database. However, allelic profiles obtained from the remaining 4 B. henselae isolates (9.1%) were incompatible with the database. Among B. henselae isolates with compatible allelic profiles, 5 different STs including ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35 and ST36 were identified according to the B. henselae MLST online database. ST35 was the most prevalent ST with a prevalence rate of 29.5% (13/44), followed by ST36 with a prevalence rate of 22.7% (10/44). In addition, ST5 (16%, 7/44) and ST9 (18.2%, 8/44) were also among the prevalent STs. The prevalence of ST1 was 4.5% (2/44). For B. henselae isolates with incompatible allelic profiles, we recommended a new ST called ST38. CONCLUSION: The present study genotyped B. henselae samples isolated from stray cats in Turkey for the first time and ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35, and ST36 as well as a new sequence type named ST38 were identified among these B. henselae isolates.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Gatos , Humanos , Animales , Bartonella henselae/genética , Tipificación de Secuencias Multilocus/veterinaria , Bartonella/genética , Infecciones por Bartonella/epidemiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/veterinaria , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , ADN Bacteriano/genéticaRESUMEN
Human pathogenic bacteria circulating in the bloodstream need to find a way to interact with endothelial cells (ECs) lining the blood vessels to infect and colonise the host. The extracellular matrix (ECM) of ECs might represent an attractive initial target for bacterial interaction, as many bacterial adhesins have reported affinities to ECM proteins, in particular to fibronectin (Fn). Here, we analysed the general role of EC-expressed Fn for bacterial adhesion. For this, we evaluated the expression levels of ECM coding genes in different ECs, revealing that Fn is the highest expressed gene and thereby, it is highly abundant in the ECM environment of ECs. The role of Fn as a mediator in bacterial cell-host adhesion was evaluated in adhesion assays of Acinetobacter baumannii, Bartonella henselae, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Staphylococcus aureus to ECs. The assays demonstrated that bacteria colocalised with Fn fibres, as observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Fn removal from the ECM environment (FN1 knockout ECs) diminished bacterial adherence to ECs in both static and dynamic adhesion assays to varying extents, as evaluated via absolute quantification using qPCR. Interactions between adhesins and Fn might represent the crucial step for the adhesion of human-pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria targeting the ECs as a niche of infection.
Asunto(s)
Bartonella henselae , Fibronectinas , Humanos , Adhesinas Bacterianas/genética , Adhesinas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Adhesión Bacteriana , Bartonella henselae/genética , Bartonella henselae/metabolismo , Células Endoteliales/microbiología , Fibronectinas/metabolismoRESUMEN
The Bartonella genus consists of neglected pathogens associated with potentially transfusional-transmitted and fatal human diseases. We aimed to evaluate Bartonella sp. prevalence in 500 blood donors and compare the results with the data already published about these samples. We used molecular diagnostic methods to detect Bartonella sp.-DNA from blood and liquid culture samples: (A) conventional PCR for two gene regions, the ITS targeting the genus Bartonella and the specific gltA Bartonella henselae; (B) nested PCR for the ftsZ gene and (C) qualitative real-time PCR for the gltA gene, both B. henselae specific. We obtained 30/500 (6%) DNA detections from the blood samples; 77/500 (15.4%) DNA detections from liquid culture samples and five (1%) samples had DNA detection from both. In total, we detected B. henselae DNA from 102/500 (20.4%) donors. The samples used in this study had already been submitted for Bartonella sp.-DNA detection using only a conventional PCR in liquid culture. Sixteen samples (3.2%) were positive previously, and from these 16 samples, 13 were negative in the new investigation. We concluded that the use of liquid culture combined with different molecular tests increases the possibility of detecting Bartonella sp.-DNA, but the tests do not avoid false-negative results. More than a fifth of blood donors had at least one PCR that detected Bartonella sp.-DNA among the eight molecular reactions performed now (four reactions in whole blood and four in liquid culture). Seven percent had B. henselae-DNA detection for two or more distinct regions. Considering the results obtained previously, the DNA of Bartonella spp. was detected or the agent isolated in 23% of analyzed blood donors. The results establish that the low bacteremia and the fastidious characteristics of the bacterium are challenges to laboratory diagnosis and can make it difficult to confirm the infection in patients with bartonelloses.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Humanos , Bartonella henselae/genética , Donantes de Sangre , Bartonella/genética , Infecciones por Bartonella/epidemiología , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa , ADN Bacteriano/genética , ADN Bacteriano/análisisRESUMEN
Bacteria of the genus Bartonella, a member of the Alphaproteobacteria, are fastidious, Gram-negative, aerobic bacilli that comprise numerous species, subspecies, and genotypes. Bartonella henselae, with a worldwide distribution, infects cats, dogs, horses, humans, and other mammals. Diagnostically, direct detection of Bartonella henselae in patient blood specimens by culture or molecular methods is required to confirm infection with this bacterium. Enrichment blood culture combined with quantitative PCR (qPCR) or ddPCR enhances the sensitivity of direct detection. The addition of sheep blood to liquid culture media increased the Bartonella henselae DNA concentration compared to controls, additionally improving PCR direct detection sensitivity. IMPORTANCE This study aims to improve diagnostic detection of Bartonella henselae. Patient samples are combined with enriched bacterial cultures aimed at growing Bartonella henselae for the best possible chance at detection. However, current Bartonella growth methods could be improved. The DNA extraction method used by most laboratories should also be optimized. Sheep blood was added to increase the growth of Bartonella henselae and multiple DNA extraction methods were to be compared to each other.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Humanos , Animales , Caballos/genética , Perros , Ovinos , Bartonella henselae/genética , ADN Bacteriano/genética , ADN Bacteriano/análisis , Infecciones por Bartonella/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Bartonella/microbiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/veterinaria , Bartonella/genética , Suplementos Dietéticos , MamíferosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) manifests as ulcers and atrophic white scars on the lower extremities. The main known etiopathogenesis is hypercoagulability with thrombus formation, followed by inflammation. Thrombophilia, collagen and myeloproliferative diseases may induce LV, but the idiopathic (primary) form predominates. Bartonella spp. may cause intra-endothelial infection and skin manifestations caused by these bacteria may be diverse, including leukocytoclastic vasculitis and ulcers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of bacteremia by Bartonella spp. in patients with difficult-to-control chronic ulcers diagnosed as primary LV. METHODS: Questionnaires and molecular tests (conventional PCR, nested PCR and real-time PCR) were applied and liquid and solid cultures were performed in the blood samples and blood clot of 16 LV patients and 32 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Bartonella henselae DNA was detected in 25% of LV patients and in 12.5% of control subjects but failed to reach statistically significant differences (p = 0.413). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Due to the rarity of primary LV, the number of patients studied was small and there was greater exposure of the control group to risk factors for Bartonella spp. CONCLUSION: Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups, the DNA of B. henselae was detected in one of every four patients, which reinforces the need to investigate Bartonella spp. in patients with primary LV.
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Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Livedo Reticularis , Vasculopatía Livedoide , Humanos , Bartonella henselae/genética , Infecciones por Bartonella/complicaciones , Infecciones por Bartonella/diagnóstico , Úlcera , ADN , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la PolimerasaRESUMEN
Molecular methods can enable rapid identification of Bartonella spp. infections, which are difficult to diagnose by using culture or serology. We analyzed clinical test results of PCR that targeted bacterial 16S rRNA hypervariable V1-V2 regions only or in parallel with PCR of Bartonella-specific ribC gene. We identified 430 clinical specimens infected with Bartonella spp. from 420 patients in the United States. Median patient age was 37 (range 1-79) years; 62% were male. We identified B. henselae in 77%, B. quintana in 13%, B. clarridgeiae in 1%, B. vinsonii in 1%, and B. washoensis in 1% of specimens. B. quintana was detected in 83% of cardiac specimens; B. henselae was detected in 34% of lymph node specimens. We detected novel or uncommon Bartonella spp. in 9 patients. Molecular diagnostic testing can identify Bartonella spp. infections, including uncommon and undescribed species, and might be particularly useful for patients who have culture-negative endocarditis or lymphadenitis.
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Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Humanos , Masculino , Estados Unidos , Lactante , Preescolar , Niño , Adolescente , Adulto Joven , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Femenino , ARN Ribosómico 16S/genética , Infecciones por Bartonella/microbiología , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , Técnicas de Amplificación de Ácido Nucleico , Bartonella henselae/genéticaRESUMEN
Bartonella henselae is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for causing Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) and other clinical manifestations in humans. Domestic cats are the main reservoirs of this Bartonella species. Previous studies have suggested that certain genotypes of B. henselae seem to be more associated with human infections. The present study aimed to genotype B. henselae isolates from domestic cats' blood samples in the state of Goiás, midwestern Brazil. The association of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) based on the nuoG gene from Bartonella spp. of blood samples, before and after incubation in pre-enrichment liquid medium (BAPGM) and isolation on chocolate agar, showed a positivity frequency of 42% (42/100) for Bartonella spp. Twelve B. henselae isolates obtained on agar chocolate from six cats' blood samples (two isolates from each animal) were characterized by Multi-locus Sequencing Typing (MLST) and revealed to belong to Sequence Types ST1 and ST5. One of the cats (1/6) presented both STs, demonstrating that domestic cats can be coinfected with different variants of B. henselae. The STs detected in this study are distributed worldwide and have already been detected in humans with clinical manifestations of bartonellosis. This is the first report of the zoonotic variants ST1 and ST5 of B. henselae in domestic cats from Brazil.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Coinfección , Gatos , Animales , Humanos , Bartonella henselae/genética , Tipificación de Secuencias Multilocus , Agar , Brasil/epidemiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/epidemiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/veterinaria , Bartonella/genética , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , ADN Bacteriano/genéticaRESUMEN
Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is an anthropozoonotic infection caused by Bartonella henselae, and it is one of the most common causes of lymph node infections in children and adolescents. B. henselae, belonging to the genus Bartonella, is a common human pathogen of human beings. CSD commonly develops as a result of cat scratches and bites or when injured skin comes into contact with cat saliva. The manifestation of CSD clinically differs for each patient based on their immune system. Individuals who have healthy immune systems generally manifest minimal clinical symptoms and do not necessitate any form of treatment. However, patients who have hypo-immunity require prompt medical attention due to the potential manifestation of severe symptoms that affect multiple systems of the body. Long latency and atypical clinical manifestations are characteristics of CSD. Bartonella isolation and identification are challenging procedures that require specialized equipment. There is no gold standard method for CSD diagnosis, and misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis rates are typically high. We present the case of a middle-aged male patient who developed fever, chills, anal distension, dizziness, and muscle pain for 10 days. The patient had a documented history of cat bites 1 month prior to the onset of symptoms. Following admission, he underwent an examination to determine superficial lymphadenopathy and hypoimmunity. Additionally, he had a fever during the disease. As the patient refused a needle biopsy of lymph nodes, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was employed and B. henselae was detected in the peripheral blood. The patient was diagnosed with CSD and treated with a combination of azithromycin and doxycycline. The fever symptoms were alleviated, and the patient was ultimately discharged. As a result of this case, we suggest that mNGS be used as a crucial supplementary diagnostic tool for individuals with compromised immune systems who may have CSD, especially when conventional diagnostic methods are inconclusive.
Asunto(s)
Bartonella henselae , Bartonella , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato , Niño , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adolescente , Humanos , Masculino , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/diagnóstico , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/tratamiento farmacológico , Bartonella henselae/genética , Ganglios Linfáticos/patología , Secuenciación de Nucleótidos de Alto RendimientoRESUMEN
Bartonella henselae is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes cat scratch disease (CSD), as well as bacteremia, endocarditis, and other clinical presentations. CSD remains one of the most common infections caused by bacteria in the genus Bartonella, and it is transmitted to humans through a scratch or cat bite. Vaccination and more efficient diagnostic methods would represent a promising and sustainable alternative measure for CSD control in humans and animals. Here, we described the in silico analyses and design of three recombinant chimeric proteins (rC1, rC2, and rC3), for use in the control of CSD. The chimeras were constructed with epitopes identified from the sequences of the GroEL, 17 kDa, P26, BadA, Pap31, OMP 89, and OMP 43, previously described as the most important B. henselae antigens. The rC1, rC2, and rC3 were expressed and purified using a heterologous system based on Escherichia coli and reacted with antibodies present in the sera of humans naturally infected. The chimeric proteins were used to immunize mice using Freund adjuvant, and the humoral immune response was evaluated. Animals immunized with rC1 and rC3 showed a significant IgG antibodies response from the 28th day (P < 0.05), and the animals immunized with the rC2 from the 35th day (P < 0.05) remained until the 56th day of experimentation, with a titer of 1:3200 (P < 0.05), 1:1600 (P < 0.05) and 1:1600 (P < 0.05) from rC1, rC2, and rC3, respectively. Significant production of IgA and IgG1 isotype was detected in animals immunized with rC1 and rC2 proteins. Additionally, analysis using 13 serum samples from naturally infected patients showed that the proteins are recognized by antibodies present in sera, reinforcing the possibility of using these chimeras for CSD control. KEY POINTS: ⢠The recombinant chimeras were expressed in Escherichia coli with 37 kDa (rC1), 35 kDa (rC2), and 38 kDa (rC3). ⢠Animals immunized with rC1, rC2, and rC3 showed significant antibody response. ⢠The chimeras were recognized by the sera of naturally infected patients.
Asunto(s)
Bartonella henselae , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato , Humanos , Animales , Ratones , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/diagnóstico , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/prevención & control , Bartonella henselae/genética , Epítopos/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusión/genética , Escherichia coli/genéticaRESUMEN
Bartonella henselae, the pathogen that causes cat-scratch disease (CSD), is relatively rare in the clinic. CSD usually causes mild clinical manifestations, which self-heal in a matter of weeks. However, in immunocompromised patients, CSD may cause systemic disorders that can lead to critical illness. Due to the diversity of symptom signs and the lack of a golden standard for diagnosis, identifying atypical CSD in a timely manner presents a challenge. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), is a promising technology that has been widely used in the detection of pathogens in clinical infectious diseases in recent years. mNGS can detect multiple pathogens quickly and accurately from any given source. Here, we present a case of atypical CSD, which was diagnosed using mNGS. The patient manifested a fever of unknown infectious origin, and routine antibiotic treatment was ineffective. mNGS was employed to test the patient's peripheral blood, which led to the detection of B. henselae. This was rarely seen in previous CSD reports. We surmised that the patient presented with atypical CSD and thus a targeted therapy was recommended. Crucially, the patient recovered rapidly. Based on this case study findings, we recommend that CSD should be included in the differential diagnosis for fever of unknown origin and that mNGS may be helpful in the diagnosis of CSD.