https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29962482/
Bartonella henselae neuroretinitis in patients without cat scratch.
Celiker H, et al. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2018.
Abstract
Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a syndrome which is characterized by lymphadenopathy, fever, and skin lesions in association with a cat scratch or bite. Bartonella henselae is the primary bacterial agent responsible for CSD. Here we report serologically proven atypical presentation cases of B henselae neuroretinitis. In this study, three neuroretinitis patients were evaluated. Animal contact histories, ocular examinations, systemic work-up, clinical findings, and treatment compliance of the patients were assessed. All the patients denied a history of a cat or any animal contact, or of having CSD findings. Serologic testing with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used for diagnosis of Bartonella neuroretinitis. IFA test results were positive for all patients. Two of the patients were treated with antibiotics. Optic disc edema and macular exudates resolved gradually, and at their last follow-up visits, all the signs had disappeared. There was no disease recurrence after finishing treatment. Serious complications were seen in the untreated patient. In conclusion, even though there may be a lack of systemic signs and symptoms of CSD in a patient with neuroretinitis, B henselae infection should be considered.
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**Comment**
This article points out an extremely important point – Bartonella is spreading without a history of cat or animal contact, which begs the question:
HOW DID THEY GET IT?
I just posted this today and commented that many Lyme/MSIDS patients have Bartonella yet authorities are denying tick involvement: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/07/10/infective-endocarditis-associated-with-bartonella-henselae-a-case-series/
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/?s=Bartonella+Treatment Here we see far more than ticks carry Bart:
Arthropod vectors including fleas and flea feces, biting flies such as sand flies and horn flies, the human body louse, mosquitoes, and ticks; through bites and scratches of reservoir hosts; and potentially from needles and syringes in the drug addicted. Needle stick transmission to veterinarians has been reported. There is documentation that cats have received it through blood transfusion. 3.2% of blood donors in Brazil were found to carry Bartonella in their blood. Bartonella DNA has been found in dust mites. Those with arthropod exposure have an increased risk, as well as those working and living with pets that have arthropod exposure. 28% of veterinarians tested positively for Bartonella compared with 0% of controls. About half of all cats may be infected with Bartonella – as high as 80% in feral cats and near 40% of domestic cats. In various studies dogs have close to a 50% rate as well. Evidence now suggests it may be transmitted congenitally from mother to child – potentially leading to birth defects.
Is this getting any media coverage? Nope. Yet we STILL hear about Zika…..despite the fact mosquitoes here in Wisconsin can’t even carry it! And according to 2017 CDC data, only SEVEN cases were reported through “presumed” local mosquito transmission in Florida and Texas: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/reporting/2017-case-counts.html
So the question begs to be asked, why are my tax dollars going toward a disease that can’t even be acquired in the state of Wisconsin, yet no work is being done on Bartonella, yet nearly every Wisconsin patient I work with has it?
Oh, and it can kill you…..
Madison Area Lyme Support Group 