A miraculous recovery:<i>Bartonella henselae</i>infection following a red ant bite

Guru, Pramod; Agarwal, Anjali; Fritz, Ashley Virginia

doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-222326

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In several case reports, however, B. henselae has been isolated in cats with a variety of clinical symptoms including endocarditis, seizure disorders, ocular disease, and hyperglobulinaemia [ 13 ]. B. henselae infection occurs in humans when the bacterium is accidently transmitted through the scratch or bite of a cat, but other modes of transmission such as red ant bites have been reported [ 14 ]. Flea infestation on domestic animal reservoirs such as cats and dogs are of rising concern, as resistance to flea control insecticides is increasing [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Is in a Cat Scratch? Growth of Bartonella henselae in a Biofilm

2021

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Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) is a gram-negative bacterium that causes cat scratch disease, bacteremia, and endocarditis, as well as other clinical presentations. B. henselae has been shown to form a biofilm in vitro that likely plays a role in the establishment and persistence of the bacterium in the host. Biofilms are also known to form in the cat flea vector; hence, the ability of this bacterium to form a biofilm has broad biological significance. The release of B. henselae from a biofilm niche appears to be important in disease persistence and relapse in the vertebrate host but also in transmission by the cat flea vector. It has been shown that the BadA adhesin of B. henselae is critical for adherence and biofilm formation. Thus, the upregulation of badA is important in initiating biofilm formation, and down-regulation is important in the release of the bacterium from the biofilm. We summarize the current knowledge of biofilm formation in Bartonella species and the role of BadA in biofilm formation. We discuss the evidence that defines possible mechanisms for the regulation of the genes required for biofilm formation. We further describe the regulation of those genes in the conditions that mimic both the arthropod vector and the mammalian host for B. henselae. The treatment for persistent B. henselae infection remains a challenge; hence, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which this bacterium persists in its host is critical to inform future efforts to develop drugs to treat such infections.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Is in a Cat Scratch? Growth of Bartonella henselae in a Biofilm

2021

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“…are zoonotic pathogens transmitted from mammals to humans through a variety of insect vectors including the sand fly, cat fleas, and human body louse [4,5]. New evidence suggests that ticks, red ants, and spiders can also transmit Bartonella [15,16,17,18]. Bed bugs have been implicated in the transmission cycle of B. quintana and have been artificially infected [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Bartonellosis: An Underappreciated Public Health Problem?

2019

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Bartonella spp. bacteria can be found around the globe and are the causative agents of multiple human diseases. The most well-known infection is called cat-scratch disease, which causes mild lymphadenopathy and fever. As our knowledge of these bacteria grows, new presentations of the disease have been recognized, with serious manifestations. Not only has more severe disease been associated with these bacteria but also Bartonella species have been discovered in a wide range of mammals, and the pathogens’ DNA can be found in multiple vectors. This review will focus on some common mammalian reservoirs as well as the suspected vectors in relation to the disease transmission and prevalence. Understanding the complex interactions between these bacteria, their vectors, and their reservoirs, as well as the breadth of infection by Bartonella around the world will help to assess the impact of Bartonellosis on public health.

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“…Research on potential arthropod vector species has shown varied results, as bacterial presence does not denote vector competency in transmitting the bacteria. However, aside from the vector-competent cat flea, documented cases of human infection have been associated with exposure to arthropods, including hard-bodied ticks [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ], ants [ 58 ], and spiders [ 59 ]. Therefore, further investigation of potential vector species, as well as sources of vector infection, need to be addressed [ 60 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Viability and Desiccation Resistance of Bartonella henselae in Biological and Non-Biological Fluids: Evidence for Pathogen Environmental Stability

2023

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Pathogen environmental stability is an often-neglected research priority for pathogens that are known to be vector-transmitted. Bartonella henselae, the etiologic agent of Cat Scratch Disease, has become a “pathogen of interest” in several serious human illnesses, which include neoplastic, cardiovascular, neurocognitive, and rheumatologic conditions. Survival in the flea gut and feces as well as the association with a biofilm in culture-negative endocarditis provides insight into this organism’s ability to adjust to environmental extremes. The detection of B. henselae DNA in blood and tissues from marine mammals also raises questions about environmental stability and modes of pathogen transmission. We investigated the ability of B. henselae to survive in fluid matrices chosen to mimic potential environmental sources of infective materials. Feline whole blood, serum and urine, bovine milk, and physiologic saline inoculated with a laboratory strain of B. henselae San Antonio 2 were subsequently evaluated by culture and qPCR at specified time intervals. Bacterial viability was also assessed following desiccation and reconstitution of each inoculated fluid matrix. Bartonella henselae SA2 was cultured from feline urine up to 24 hours after inoculation, and from blood, serum, cow’s milk, and physiologic saline for up to 7 days after inoculation. Of potential medical importance, bacteria were cultured following air-desiccation of all fluid inoculates. The viability and stability of Bartonella within biological and non-biological fluids in the environment may represent a previously unrecognized source of infection for animals and human beings.

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A miraculous recovery:Bartonella henselaeinfection following a red ant bite

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

What Is in a Cat Scratch? Growth of Bartonella henselae in a Biofilm

What Is in a Cat Scratch? Growth of Bartonella henselae in a Biofilm

Human Bartonellosis: An Underappreciated Public Health Problem?

Viability and Desiccation Resistance of Bartonella henselae in Biological and Non-Biological Fluids: Evidence for Pathogen Environmental Stability

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