Costal osteomyelitis due to <i>Bartonella</i> <i>henselae</i> in a 10-year-old girl

Bartonella henselae is the bacterial agent responsible for cat scratch disease. This infection is frequently the cause of localized lymphadenitis in children. It is also sometimes responsible for endocarditis, encephalitis, hepatic peliosis and in rare cases osteomyelitis. We describe the second known case of unifocal thoracic osteomyelitis in a 10-year-old child.

Hepatic Peliosis Associated with a Paraganglioma

Peliosis of the liver and spleen is a rare benign condition characterized by dilatation of sinusoidal blood-filled spaces. The imageology of hepatic peliosis resembles hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic metastases and hemangioma. We report a case of hepatic peliosis imitating metastases on CT. The patient was 26-year-old man who previously had a splenectomy and retroperitoneal paraganglioma surgically removed. Peliosis must be considered a potential differential diagnosis of hypodense foci of the liver seen on CT

Feline bartonellosis· A review

Bartonella infection is caused by Gram negative bacteria commonly isolated from domestic cats. Cats are the major reservoir of Bartonella henselae, B. clarridgeiae and B. koehlerae which are transmitted to humans, while they are accidental host of B, quintana. Β, bovis και Β, vìmonìi subsp. berkhoffìi. The pathogen is transmitted among cats mainlyby fleas while other vectors are also suspicious for transmission since the bacteria have been isolated from ticks and flies.The bacterial pathogenicity may be emphasized by the strain of the bacterium and the immune status of the infected host. Most of the infected eats remain asymptomatic. In the natural occurring cases of feline bartonellosis uveitis, chronic gingivostomatitis and endocarditis have been reported. Mild anemia and leucocitosi s in the early phase of the infection has been also reported. Diagnosis is based on the detection of the specific anti-bartoneila antibodies by the inderict immunofluorescent test, ELISA and Western blot assays. Molecular biology techniques mainly PCR, cytology, histopathology and blood culture have also been employed for the direct detection of the pathogen. Prolonged antimicrobial therapy results to the reduction of bacterial burden without total elimination of the pathogen.Bartonella henselae is the causative agent of cat scratch disease, a human infection usually characterized by persistent regional lymphadenopathy and less frequently fever while angiomatosis or hepatic peliosis have been reported mainly in immunocompromised patients. It is transmitted to humans by cat scratches or bites. The most effective means of protection is regular flea control Additionally, commonsense precautions and hygiene such as washing hands after handling pets and clean any cats and bites or scratches promptly are recommended especially in population at great risk.

Serological evidence ofBartonella henselaeinfection in healthy people in Catalonia, Spain

SUMMARYCat scratch disease (CSD), bacillary angiomatosis, hepatic peliosis and some cases of bacteraemia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis are directly caused by some species of the genusBartonella. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of IgG antibodies againstBartonella henselaein healthy people and to identify the epidemiological factors involved. Serum samples from 218 patients were examined by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Significance levels for univariate statistical analysis were determined by the Mann–WhitneyUtest, χ2test and Fisher's exact test. Of 218 patients, 99 were female and 119 male, with a median age of 34·36 years (range 0–91 years). Nineteen (8·7%) reacted withB. henselaeantigens. Of all the factors concerning the seroprevalence rate being studied (age, sex, contact with animals, residential area), only age was statistically significant. Our serological data seems to indicate thatB. henselaeis present in Catalonia and could be transmitted to humans.