High Bartonella spp. seroprevalence in a Swedish homeless population but no evidence of trench fever

Abstract

Blood samples and epidemiological data were collected from 50 homeless patients in central Stockholm, Sweden. Sera were analysed for antibodies to B. henselae, B. quintana, B. elizabethae and B. grahamii. Whole blood was cultured and used as substrate for a newly developed quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) specifically targeting Bartonella spp. DNA. 61 matched blood donor sera were used as controls. Homeless patients were significantly more often seropositive to Bartonella spp. than controls (OR 7.58 (3.30-17.39), p<0.05). Reactivity to the B. elizabethae antigen was dominating, although the difference between patients and controls was most significant in seroreactivity to the B. henselae antigen. There was no evidence of an ongoing B. quintana epidemic. The absence of louse infestation could explain the lack of B. quintana bacteraemia and the failure to amplify Bartonella DNA.

Human bartonellosis: seroepidemiological and clinical features with an emphasis on data from Brazil - A review

“…From the data presented in Table II and those discussed above, it is clear that Bartonella largely circulates among human populations (Jackson et al 1996, Comer et al 1996, Rotily et al 1996, Noah et al 1997, Blanco et al 1998 Jacobs & Schutze 1998, Sander et al 1998, Harrison & Doshi 1999, Maruyama et al 2000, Guibal et al 2001, Kumasaka et al 2001, Antoniou et al 2002, Kikuchi et al 2002, Ramos et al 2002, Smith et al 2002, Tea et al 2003, Koehler et al 2003, Al-Majali & Al-Qudah 2004, Massei et al 2004, Garcia-Garcia et al 2005, McGill et al 2005, Ferres et al 2006, Seki et al 2006, Ehrenborg et al 2007, Zarkovic et al 2007. B. bacilliformis serology performed in endemic areas is notably high (Amano et al 1997, Kosek et al 2000, Chamberlin et al 2002.…”

Bartonella Infections in Deer Keds (Lipoptena cervi) and Moose (Alces alces) in Norway

“…DNA extracts from the individual samples were subjected to three different PCR strategies for the detection of Bartonella. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and seminested PCR were initially used to screen the samples for Bartonella DNA, based on previously described protocols (19,20). Both assays detect a region in the gltA gene.…”

Cat-bite-induced Francisella tularensis infection with a false-positive serological reaction for Bartonella quintana

“…In this report, the positive titre for anti- B. quintana antibodies (1 : 128) was unexpected, since clinical infections with the bacteria are uncommon [17, 18] and it has not been associated with cat bites previously in Sweden [19, 20]. Infections caused by B. quintana are exclusively seen in patients with actual or recent contact with body lice [21].…”