Archive for the ‘Bartonella’ Category

Bartonella, Erythema Nodosum & Atypical Presentations

The cat did it: erythema nodosum and additional atypical presentations of Bartonella henselae infection in immunocompetent hosts.

Authors

Schattner A1,2, Uliel L3, Dubin I2.

BMJ Case Rep. 2018.

PMID

29453213 [PubMed – in process]

 

Abstract

A healthy patient presented with painful skin lesions on the anterior surface of her legs.Erythema nodosum was diagnosed but all the usual causes were ruled out. The finding of bilateral enlarged axillary lymph nodes with necrosis and granulomas led to the diagnosis of Bartonella infection, an unusual cause of erythema nodosum. Imaging also revealed splenomegaly and small para-aortic lymph nodes.Up to one quarter of the patients with cat-scratch disease present atypically, a considerably higher prevalence than previously reported. A comprehensive review of the literature (PubMed, since inception, all languages) revealed a remarkable array of unusual presentations which are summarised and briefly discussed.

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**Comment**

Thankful for this work showing atypical presentations.   Mark my words, we are going to see more and more of this…..

 

More on Bart:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/01/03/bartonella-treatment/

 

Category:

Bartonella, research

Neglected Vector-borne Zoonoses in Europe

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29426471/

Neglected vector-borne zoonoses in Europe: Into the wild.

Tomassone L1, Berriatua E2, De Sousa R3, Duscher GG4, Mihalca AD5, Silaghi C6, Sprong H7, Zintl A8. Vet Parasitol. 2018.

Abstract

Wild vertebrates are involved in the transmission cycles of numerous pathogens. Additionally, they can affect the abundance of arthropod vectors. Urbanization, landscape and climate changes, and the adaptation of vectors and wildlife to human habitats represent complex and evolving scenarios, which affect the interface of vector, wildlife and human populations, frequently with a consequent increase in zoonotic risk. While considerable attention has focused on these interrelations with regard to certain major vector-borne pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and tick-borne encephalitis virus, information regarding many other zoonotic pathogens is more dispersed. In this review, we discuss the possible role of wildlife in the maintenance and spread of some of these neglected zoonoses in Europe. We present case studies on the role of rodents in the cycles of Bartonella spp., of wild ungulates in the cycle of Babesia spp., and of various wildlife species in the life cycle of Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp.

These examples highlight the usefulness of surveillance strategies focused on neglected zoonotic agents in wildlife as a source of valuable information for health professionals, nature managers and (local) decision-makers. These benefits could be further enhanced by increased collaboration between researchers and stakeholders across Europe and a more harmonised and coordinated approach for data collection.

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**Comment**

They are neglected in the U.S. too, but all play a significant role in patient case complexity.

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Babesia, Bartonella, research, Rickettsia

Anemic Dog Found to Have Bartonella – Resolved with Prolonged Antibiotics

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29393980/

Bartonella henselae infection in a dog with recalcitrant ineffective erythropoiesis.

Randell MG, et al. Vet Clin Pathol. 2018. Feb 2. doi: 10.1111/vcp.12575. [Epub ahead of print]

Authors
Randell MG1, Balakrishnan N2,3, Gunn-Christie R4, Mackin A5, Breitschwerdt EB2,3.

Abstract

Ineffective erythropoiesis was diagnosed in an 8-year-old male castrated Labrador Retriever. Despite treatment with immunosuppressive therapy for suspected immune-mediated erythrocyte maturation arrest, resolution of the nonregenerative anemia was not achieved. Following documentation of Bartonella henselae bacteremia by Bartonella alpha proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) enrichment blood culture, immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued, and the anemia resolved following prolonged antibiotic therapy. Bartonella immunofluorescent antibody testing was negative, whereas B henselae western blot was consistently positive. The contribution of B henselae bacteremia to ineffective erythropoiesis remains unknown; however, the potential role of B henselae in the pathophysiology of bone marrow dyscrasias warrants additional investigation.

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**Comment**

All I could think of when I read this article was, “You lucky dog.”  How many Lyme/MSIDS patients have anemia due to an undiagnosed Bartonella infection?  Hard to say, but I’ll bet there’s a lot out here in Lyme-land.

Notice this lucky dog gets Dr. Breitschwerdt, the Bart Guru, taking care of him and using his special growth medium to detect Bartonella to begin with.  People don’t even get that.  Then, the lucky dog is put on prolonged antibiotic therapy, directed by someone who knows what he’s doing, and will live another day to chase squirrels.

Can I be a dog, please?

Category:

Bartonella, Testing, Treatment

Missed Cure Talks – ILADS Highlights? Here’s Another Chance

https://www.curetalks.com/event/rsvp/Highlights-from-the-International-Lyme-and-Associated-Diseases-ILADS-18th-Annual-Scientific-Conference-Boston/292/?upcoming=yes  (Click here to hear talk.  Audio is located under the pictures of the doctors)

The Global Lyme Alliance is pleased to present Highlights from ILADS 18th Annual Scientific Conference, our expert panel of leading physicians will provide their insights and a summary of key data and research presented at this conference.

Physician Panel:
Dr. Kenneth Liegner, Physician, Author and Patient Advocate https://www.curetalks.com/cu/pub/profile/240/
Dr. Thomas Moorcroft, Co-founder of Origins Of Health, an Osteopathic wellness center https://www.curetalks.com/cu/pub/profile/242/
Dr. Leo J Shea III, Clinical Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Rusk Institute, a division of the New York University-Langone Medical Center https://www.curetalks.com/cu/pub/profile/243/
Dr. Samuel Shor, Associate Clinical Professor, George Washington University Health Care Sciences https://www.curetalks.com/cu/pub/profile/241/

Patient Panel:
Jackie Bailey, NP at Apheresis Associates of Northern Virginia (AANV)
Jennifer Crystal, Writer and Educator

Lyme Disease talks are conducted in association with Global Lyme Alliance.

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**Comment**

Great info!  Thank you Global Lyme Alliance, physicians and patients for putting this on!

Category:

Activism, Bartonella, Lyme, Testing, Treatment

Finally – RT-PCR Detected Bartonella Henselae DNA on Tissue Valve

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29390335/

Fever of unknown origin and splenomegaly: A case report of blood culture negative endocarditis.

Burzo ML, et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017.

Abstract

RATIONALE: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) can be determined by different conditions among which infectious diseases represent the main cause.

PATIENT CONCERNS: A young woman, with a history of aortic stenosis, was admitted to our unit for a month of intermittent fever associated with a new diastolic heart murmur and splenomegaly. Laboratory tests were negative for infectious screening. The total body computed tomography (CT) scan excluded abscesses, occulted neoplasia, or lymphadenopathy.

DIAGNOSES: The transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram showed an aortic valve vegetation. Three sets of blood cultures were negative for all microorganisms tested. According to these findings, Bartonella endocarditis was suspected and the serology tests performed were positive. Finally, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected Bartonella henselae DNA on tissue valve.

INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent heart valve surgery and a treatment of Ampicillin, Gentamicin, and oral Doxycycline was prescribed for 16 days and, successively, with Doxycycline and Ceftriaxone for 6 weeks.

OUTCOMES: After surgery and antibiotic therapy, patient continued to do well.

LESSONS: Bartonella species are frequently the cause of negative blood culture endocarditis. Molecular biology techniques are the only useful tool for diagnosis. Valvular replacement is often necessary and antibiotic regimen with Gentamicin and either Ceftriaxone or Doxycycline is suggested as treatment.Echocardiogram and blood cultures must be performed in all cases of FUO. When blood cultures are negative and echocardiographic tools are indicative, early use of Bartonella serology is recommended.

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**Comment**
Great information regarding how difficult it is to pick up microorganisms through testing and the importance of the right test.  This has been the thorn in Lyme/MSIDS patients sides for decades and why so many continue to fall through the cracks.
The Cabal continues to rely on old studies and testing methods which are extremely flawed to make emphatic statements on all things Tick borne illness related.
New tests must be accepted & used.  If it weren’t for the dedicated sleuthing of a doctor, this woman might be dead, and many have succumbed to that outcome due to poor testing, lack of diagnosis, and treatment.
Ticks that transmit Bartonella include Ixodes Scapularis (also called the blacklegged tick or deer tick) and Ixodes Pacificus (western black legged tick), both of which also transmit Lyme disease. More than one co-infection can be transmitted from the same tick bite. A paper by Martin Fried and Aswine Bal, both MD’s, https://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/images/NewDirectory/Studies-Papers/Fried_Bartonella-2002.pdf, found it to cause heartburn, abdominal pain, skin rash, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and duodentis (inflammation of 1st portion of the small intestine) in children and adolescents, as well as mesenteric adenitis (inflammation in abdominal lymph nodes).

Category:

Bartonella, Testing, Treatment