ABSTRACT
The genus Bartonella consists of globally distributed and highly diverse alpha-proteobacteria that infect a wide-range of mammals. Medically, Bartonella spp. constitute emerging, vector-borne, zoonotic, intravascular organisms that induce long-lasting bacteremia in reservoir-adapted (passive carrier of a microorganism) hosts. At times, these bacteria are accidentally transmitted by animal scratches, bites, needles sticks or vectors to animal or human hosts. We report the first documented human case of blood stream infection with Bartonella vinsonii subsp. vinsonii in a girl from North Carolina, USA, who was co-infected with Bartonella quintana. Limitations of Bartonella spp. serology and the challenges of microbiological culture and molecular diagnostic confirmation of co-infection with more than one Bartonella spp. are discussed. When and where these infections were acquired is unknown; however, exposure to rodents, fleas and cats in the peri-equestrian environment was a suspected source for transmission of both organisms.
Subject(s)
Bacteremia/diagnosis , Bacteremia/pathology , Bartonella/isolation & purification , Bartonellaceae Infections/diagnosis , Bartonellaceae Infections/pathology , Coinfection/diagnosis , Coinfection/pathology , Adolescent , Bacteremia/microbiology , Bartonella/classification , Bartonella/genetics , Bartonellaceae Infections/microbiology , Cluster Analysis , Coinfection/microbiology , DNA, Bacterial/chemistry , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics , Female , Humans , Microbiological Techniques , Molecular Diagnostic Techniques , North Carolina , Phylogeny , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Serologic TestsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: As a result of extensive field-related activities, military working dogs (MWDs) have an increased occupational risk for acquiring vector-borne infectious diseases. METHODS: Indirect fluorescent antibody, Bartonella alpha-proteobacteria growth medium enrichment culture, and 16-23S Bartonella intergenic transcribed spacer polymerase chain reaction were performed using blood, serum, or tissue specimens. RESULTS: Endocarditis was diagnosed in three MWDs infected with Bartonella vinsonii subspecies (subsp.) berkhoffii genotype III. One dog was also infected with Bartonella rochalimae. CONCLUSIONS: B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii genotype III may represent an occupational risk for MWDs that develop endocarditis or myocarditis. Comprehensive periodic screening for canine vector-borne infections, in particular occult infections caused by Bartonella spp, is prudent to avoid serious or life-threating illnesses.
