Bartonella: diagnostic services
Information on Bartonella and how to obtain diagnostic services.
Background
Bartonella bacteria cause several diseases in humans.
The most common human infections are:
- cat scratch disease, caused by Bartonella henselae, usually transmitted by cat fleas
- trench fever, caused by Bartonella quintana, transmitted by human body lice
- Carrion’s disease, caused by Bartonella bacilliformis, transmitted by sandflies
Other Bartonella species may also cause human disease and have been found in various animals including cats, dogs and rats.
Bartonella infections mostly occur worldwide except Bartonella bacilliformis, which only occurs in certain parts of South America.
Immunocompromised people are more at risk. Bartonella species, especially B. henselae and B. quintana, are causes of culture negative endocarditis.
Transmission of infection
Several insect vectors are or may be involved in transmission of infection, including:
- cat fleas (B. henselae)
- human body lice (B. quintana)
- sand flies (B. bacilliformis)
Testing for Bartonella
Testing for Bartonella should be considered if there is a compatible clinical syndrome (fever, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, skin lesions, culture negative endocarditis) in a patient with a potential exposure (cat exposure for B. henselae, travel to endemic area for other Bartonella species). Testing should be considered if there is a compatible clinical syndrome where other investigations are negative, even if there is no known exposure.
Bartonella spp. are fastidious organisms and rarely grow using conventional culture methods. Diagnosis of Bartonella infection can be made through histopathological examination of specimens (special staining is required), PCR, sequencing (including 16S rRNA)and serological methods.
Tests available at RIPL
The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provides PCR testing for Bartonella spp., and serological testing for Bartonella henselae.
Antibodies may take some time to rise in acute infection. An initial negative result should therefore be interpreted with caution and a follow up sample sent 2 weeks after the initial sample if still indicated, to look for seroconversion.
Updates to this page
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Updated to reflect changes to the testing service.
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Updated guidance.
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First published.