Bartonella (Rochalimaea) infections: beyond cat scratch

Abstract

Five species of Bartonella have been found to infect humans, henselae, quintana, elizabethae, bacilliformis, and vinsonii. The most common of these in North America are Bartonella quintana and Bartonella henselae, the agents of trench fever, bacillary angiomatosis, and parenchymal peliosis, and in the case of B. henselae cat-scratch disease. B. bacilliformis is endemic in Peru and Ecuador, where it causes oroya fever or Carrion's disease. New methods of diagnosing Bartonella infections have resulted in increased recognition of the many manifestations of these infections. Early recognition is crucial, as these are potentially fatal opportunistic infections that usually respond rapidly to appropriate antimicrobial therapy.