Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana adherence to and entry into cultured human epithelial cells.

Bartonella henselae expresses pili phenotypically similar to type 4 pili. B. henselae pilus expression undergoes phase variation with multiple passages. Low-passage-number, piliated B. henselae adhered to and invaded HEp-2 cells to a greater extent than did multiply passaged B. henselae with reduced pilus expression. Pili may be a pathogenic determinant for Bartonella species.

Entrapment of below-the-knee bypass grafts.

A case is presented in which a below-the-knee saphenous vein bypass graft was compressed between the sartorius and the semimembranosis, semitendinosis, and gracilis muscles. Angiography and noninvasive Doppler showed occlusion with leg extension but no obstruction to flow with flexion. Recognition of this entrapment syndrome and its prompt correction can preserve patency of the graft.