At a glance
- Infection with Bartonella bacteria is referred to as bartonellosis.
- Bartonella henselae infection is caused by scratches from cats or kittens with infected fleas.
- Bartonella quintana, spread by human body lice, can affect people in crowded living conditions with limited access to showers or laundry.
- Bartonella bacilliformis is spread by sand flies in some regions of South America.
Overview
Bartonella bacteria can cause disease in people, referred to broadly as bartonellosis. Some forms of bartonellosis also have common names (for example, cat scratch disease).
There are more than 20 known species of Bartonella bacteria, but not all of them cause bartonellosis. Three species that cause bartonellosis are Bartonella henselae (cat scratch disease), B. quintana, and B. bacilliformis (causes South American bartonellosis).
Three types of bartonellosis
Bartonella henselae infection may be diagnosed clinically. Antibiotics may reduce symptom duration.
Bartonella quintana infection is spread through human body lice and requires antibiotics.
Bartonella bacilliformis, spread by sand flies in some areas of South America, requires antibiotics.