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Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021 Jun 2. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.

Shelters in Jordan accommodate a huge number of dogs, which are rescued as stray dogs from different cities of the country, but their health receives almost no attention. The aim of this study was to examine tick infestation as well as tick-borne protozoa and bacteria of 80 randomly sampled dogs in two Jordanian shelters. Ticks identified as lato were found on 14 out of 27 animals in a shelter. Read More

Pediatr Infect Dis J 2021 May;40(5S):S11-S15

From the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.

Since the early 1900s, Bartonella species were known only to cause human disease resulting from very restricted geographic (bartonellosis) or environmental influences ("trench fever"). In the 1990s, and in parallel, cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis were definitively linked to Bartonella species. Subsequently, widespread use of modern diagnostic methods revealed the broad ecologic niche of this organism and greatly expanded our knowledge of the epidemiology and clinical presentations associated with this genus. Read More

Infect Immun 2021 May 24. Epub 2021 May 24.

Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

Some bacterial pathogens can manipulate the angiogenic response, suppressing or inducing it for their own ends. In humans, is associated with cat-scratch disease and vasculoproliferative disorders such as bacillary angiomatosis and bacillary peliosis. Although endothelial cells (ECs) support the pathogenesis of , the mechanisms by which induces EC activation are not completely clear, as well as the possible contribution of other cells recruited at the site of infection. Read More

Int Med Case Rep J 2021 10;14:279-287. Epub 2021 May 10.

Private Practice, Denver, CO, 80224, USA.

The etiology of anorexia nervosa (AN) is multifactorial, and infections may play a contributory and possibly a prominent role. A case is presented which is indicative of a causal association between tick-borne infections and AN. This adolescent female was diagnosed with AN at an eating disorder clinic after excessive food restriction and an irrational fear of weight gain necessitating nasogastric tube feeding. Read More

Integr Zool 2021 May 18. Epub 2021 May 18.

National Research Center for Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Beijing, China.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important initiators of innate immune responses that target host-pathogen interactions. However, further research into the molecular characteristics of TLRs in wild populations is required, as well as how TLRs genetically influenced pathogen infections in the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). Here, we explored the genetic characterization and evolution of 2 sensing nucleic acid TLRs (TLR7 and TLR8) and 2 sensing non-nucleic acid TLRs (TLR2 and TLR4) in the wild brown rat, and assessed their associations with 2 RNA viruses (Seoul hantavirus and rat hepatitis E virus (HEV)) and 2 bacteria (Leptospira and Bartonella). Read More

Nephrol Ther 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

Centre de référence des Maladies rénales rares, service de néphrologie, rhumatologie et dermatologie pédiatriques, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, Hospices civils de Lyon, 59, boulevard Pinel, 69677 Bron cedex, France. Electronic address:

Cat scratch disease, usually a benign infectious disease, may develop as multisystem disease with multiorgan involvement, particularly in immunocompromised patients. We report on a patient who developed disseminated bartonellosis while receiving mycophenolate mofetil monotherapy treating steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, highlighting that severe infection can be observed in those patients. Therefore, this category of patients should be cautious when having contact with kittens and receives proper prevention advice. Read More

Microorganisms 2021 Apr 28;9(5). Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Pediatric Clinic, Pietro Barilla Children's Hospital, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy.

In most cases, infection due to causes a mild disease presenting with a regional lymphadenopathy frequently associated with a low-grade fever, headache, poor appetite and exhaustion that spontaneously resolves itself in a few weeks. As the infection is generally transmitted by cats through scratching or biting, the disease is named cat scratch disease (CSD). However, in 5-20% of cases, mainly in immunocompromised patients, systemic involvement can occur and CSD may result in major illness. Read More

Microorganisms 2021 Apr 14;9(4). Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Department of Molecular Medicine, MDC7, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, USA.

() is a gram-negative bacterium that causes cat scratch disease, bacteremia, and endocarditis, as well as other clinical presentations. has been shown to form a biofilm in vitro that likely plays a role in the establishment and persistence of the bacterium in the host. Biofilms are also known to form in the cat flea vector; hence, the ability of this bacterium to form a biofilm has broad biological significance. Read More

N Engl J Med 2021 Apr;384(15):1448-1456

From the Departments of Medicine (R.C.C., A.M.N.), Radiology (M.S.), Pediatrics (A.M.N.), and Pathology (A.R.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Medicine (R.C.C., A.M.N.), Radiology (M.S.), Pediatrics (A.M.N.), and Pathology (A.R.S.), Harvard Medical School - both in Boston.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Centre National de Référence des Rickettsies, Coxiella et Bartonella IHU-Méditerranée Infection, APHM, Marseille, France.

We studied retrospectively 651 PCR-confirmed Bartonella infections diagnosed at the French reference center for bartonellosis from 2014 to 2019. The most common form was cat-scratch disease (89%) followed by endocarditis (9%). Disseminated forms (2%) mainly presented as bacillary angiomatosis or peliosis hepatis in solid organ transplant recipients. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2021 Apr 3. Epub 2021 Apr 3.

Department of Dermatology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK.

The ectoparasite Pthirus pubis (PtP), commonly known as the crab or pubic louse, has plagued primates from prehistoric apes to Homo sapiens. We combed the literature from antiquity to the present day, reviewing the pubic louse's origins, its evolution with mankind, and its presentation and management. MEDLINE and EMBASE provided the greatest yield of literature compared with other databases. Read More

Microorganisms 2021 Mar 22;9(3). Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.

(1) Background: spp. are zoonotic bacteria with small mammals as main reservoirs. spp. Read More

Pathogens 2021 Mar 11;10(3). Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.

Cats are the primary reservoir host for ), an etiological agent of human bartonellosis, including cat scratch disease. Although DNA has been amplified from salivary swabs from cats, dogs and humans, we are not aware of studies investigating antibodies in oral fluid (OF). Using inhouse and commercial immunofluorescence antibody assays (IFA), the objective of this study was to detect and compare antibodies against in paired OF and serum specimens from cats. Read More

Ecohealth 2020 Dec 31;17(4):477-486. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.

Rodents play role as a reservoir for some Bartonella species which cause different clinical manifestations in humans. Bartonella spp. existence in rodents of Turkish Thrace has been detected for the first time, and the risky habitat types were evaluated for the infection. Read More

J Clin Exp Hepatol 2021 Mar-Apr;11(2):260-263. Epub 2020 Jul 25.

Departments of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.

Liver rupture in pregnancy is an acute condition with significant risk to the mother and fetus. It is known to occur with tumors such as hepatic adenoma, infective causes such as abscess, granulomatous diseases, and parasitic infections, and rarely spontaneously. Most of these conditions have overlapping clinicoradiological findings, almost always requiring histopathological confirmation. Read More

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021 Jun 15;21(6):413-421. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Recently, infections with emerging zoonotic bacteria of the genus have been reported in association with a range of central nervous system (CNS) symptoms. Currently, it remains unknown if spp. infection is associated with symptoms of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (SCZ/SAD). Read More

Cureus 2021 Feb 8;13(2):e13219. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QAT.

Infection with ,a gram-negative coccobacillus, most frequently presents as cat-scratch disease (CSD) and often accompanies a recent history of cat bite or scratch. As compared to adults, teenagers and children or immunocompromised patients are predominantly affected by CSD. In immunocompetent individuals, CSD is typically a self-limiting clinical syndrome with complete resolution of febrile illness in two to four weeks with or without antimicrobial therapy. Read More

N Engl J Med 2021 03 6;384(10):952. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

University of Auckland School of Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand

GMS Ophthalmol Cases 2021 28;11:Doc02. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome (POS) is a clinical condition characterized by granulomatous conjunctivitis associated with homolateral neck pain and anterior preauricular lymphadenopathy. Several reports of this condition occurred and some bacterial etiological agents were identified. However, fungal infections have also been associated, especially sporotrichosis. Read More

Trop Biomed 2020 Dec;37(4):919-931

Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.

Bacteria of the genus Bartonella have been known as emerging zoonotic pathogens for several human diseases including cat scratch disease, Carrion's disease and trench fever. Numerous species of small mammals have been reported to play a role as a suitable reservoir to many pathogenic Bartonella. These infections are thought to be transmitted through blood-feeding arthropod vectors such as ticks, fleas and lice. Read More

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021 Apr 12;75:101621. Epub 2021 Feb 12.

Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address:

Flea-borne pathogens were screened from 100 individual cat fleas using a PCR approach, of which 38 % were infected with at least one bacterium. Overall, 28 % of the flea samples were positive for Bartonella as inferred from ITS DNA region. Of these, 25 % (7/28) were identified as Bartonella clarridgeiae, 42. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2021 ;2246:301-316

Biofilmcenter, Institute for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

This overview addresses fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in a diagnostic microbiology setting with its associated problems and pitfalls and how to control them, but also the advantages and opportunities the method offers. This article focuses mainly on diagnostic FISH assays on tissue sections and on techniques and experiences in our laboratory. FISH in a routine diagnostic setting in microbiology requires strict quality control measures to ensure consistent high-quality and reliable assay results. Read More

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021 May 9;21(5):330-341. Epub 2021 Feb 9.

Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.

Rickettsiae and bartonellae are Gram-negative bacteria that can cause zoonotic and human diseases and are vectored by hematophagous arthropods. In the Americas, rickettsioses and bartonelloses have reemerged as significant public health threats. species have been identified as causing zoonotic infections responsible for a variety of clinical syndromes in humans and animals. Read More

Jpn J Infect Dis 2021 Jan 29. Epub 2021 Jan 29.

Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan.

Several outbreaks of trench fever caused by Bartonella quintana, occurred in soldiers during World Wars I and II. Although the number of trench fever cases has been decreasing worldwide, the disease has been reported among the homeless population in both developing and developed countries. The current prevalence of B. Read More

J Patient Cent Res Rev 2021 19;8(1):39-47. Epub 2021 Jan 19.

Los Angeles Integrative Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Los Angeles, CA.

Purpose: In the clinical setting, it is not common practice to consider a vector bite, such as from a tick or flea, to be a contributing factor to chronic digestive symptoms. This article investigates associations we have observed among symptomatic patients and positive blood tests for vector-borne illness (VBI).

Methods: Patients who visited an urban gastroenterology clinic over a 3-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Read More

J Vet Diagn Invest 2021 Mar 19;33(2):362-365. Epub 2021 Jan 19.

Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study and Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

A young-of-the year, female raccoon was presented with clinical signs of weakness and tremors. The raccoon was euthanized, and autopsy findings included poor body condition, diffuse lymphadenopathy, and pale, firm kidneys with petechial hemorrhages throughout the renal cortex. Histologic lesions included systemic fibrinoid vascular necrosis and severe renal lesions, including lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis and fibrinosuppurative glomerulonephritis. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 Jan 18;11(1):1735. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, 046000, China.

Investigation of the prevalence and diversity of Bartonella infections in small mammals in the Qaidam Basin, western China, could provide a scientific basis for the control and prevention of Bartonella infections in humans. Accordingly, in this study, small mammals were captured using snap traps in Wulan County and Ge'ermu City, Qaidam Basin, China. Spleen and brain tissues were collected and cultured to isolate Bartonella strains. Read More

Adv Med Sci 2021 Mar 16;66(1):113-118. Epub 2021 Jan 16.

Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.

Purpose: Dermacentor reticulatus is the second most common tick species in Poland after Ixodes ricinus. The aim of the study was to analyze the presence of pathogen DNA in D. reticulatus. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd 2021 Jan;128(1):21-27

Cat scratch disease is a usually harmless infectious disease caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria. These bacteria are transmitted to humans by a cat scratch or bite. Its typical presentation is a self-limiting lymphadenitis of regional lymph nodes, mostly in the neck. Read More

N Z Med J 2021 01 15;134(1528):96-98. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

MB., B.Chir., FRANZCO; Palmerston North Eye Department, MidCentral District Health Board.

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a systemic illness caused by the gram-negative bacteria Bartonella henselae (B. henselae). Cats serve as the primary host reservoir for B. Read More