Bartonella henselae Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Identification of Bartonella henselae in the Liver of a Thoroughbred Foal with Severe Suppurative Cholangiohepatitis

“…In people, the typical acute B. henselae infection, known as cat scratch disease, most commonly results in fever and regional lymphadenopathy 6, 7. An atypical form of B. henselae infection resulting in granulomatous hepatitis has been reported in humans, most commonly in children and in liver transplant recipients 8, 9. A recent report by Venderhayden et al reported necrotizing granulomatous hepatitis in an immunocompetent woman, and B. henselae was amplified by PCR using blood and surgically removed liver tissue 10.…”

Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae in patients awaiting heart transplant in Southern Italy

“…12 Recently, several reports described cases of solid organ transplant recipients who developed disseminated infections with B. henselae depending on the immunosuppressive therapy, at several times from transplant. 27,28,35 Usually, the transmission of B. henselae occurs via traumatic contact with infected cats or cat fleas. 13 Some studies support the possibility of Bartonella infections through blood transfusion, probably due to its intraerythrocytic viability during storage at 4 C. 36 In addition, in patients who develop bartonellosis within a few months after transplant, a possible source of transmission of B. henselae could be the organ donor.…”

“…Among solid organ transplant patients, B. henselae infection is uncommon with different clinical manifestations including disseminated diseases. 27 Recently, several reports describe cases of bartonellosis in transplant recipients. 28,29 To date, there are no available results about B. henselae seroprevalence in patients awaiting transplant who will undergo severe immunosuppressive therapy.…”

A 70-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and a six-week history of fever

“…En los casos de EAG diseminada, grave o en inmunodeprimidos, la antibioterapia está formalmente indicada, empleándose en algunos casos terapia combinada (doxiciclina asociada a macrólidos es de elección). En estos casos la duración del tratamiento oscila entre 15 y 21 días, salvo en casos de neurorretinitis o bacteriemia, donde se recomienda mantener el tratamiento antibiótico al menos 4-6 semanas (1, 3,5). Por último, en pacientes graves o con sintomatología persistente podría estar indicado el uso de corticoterapia.…”