Fwd: [CaliforniaLyme] Bartonella in CA tick-Los Angeles Co West Vector Control District website

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This is in California, but it may be everywhere.From: LymeBarb@...To: californialyme Sent: Sunday, February 5, 2012 6:47:22 PMSubject: [CaliforniaLyme] Bartonella in CA tick-Los Angeles Co West Vector Control District website

www.lawestvector.org

Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District

Bartonella

There is now evidence that ticks may be a significant transmitter of the Bartonella infection to humans. A study in California showed that a minimum of 2.3% of a pool of 1253 Ixodes pacificus ticks tested positive for Bartonella. Additionally, it appears that the Dermacentor species of ticks are also capable of transmitting the Bartonella bacteria.

Early symptoms of Bartonella include a red, crusted, elevated skin lesion where the bacteria enters its host (which can mimic the Lyme disease enlarging rash), followed by flu-like symptoms of fever, muscle and joint aches/pains, nausea, vomiting, and chills. Also, enlargement of the lymph nodes around the ears is often present. More serious symptoms include encephalitis, which can result in headaches, dementia, seizures, coma, inflammation of the heart, abdominal pain, bone lesions, and loss of vision. Studies also indicate that some Lyme disease patients are also infected with Bartonella. Treatment with multiple antibiotics is becoming more common in these situations.

The genus Bartonella, a group of small, weakly-staining, gram-negative bacteria, includes two species currently of human medical importance in the United States. These are B. henselae and B. quintana, .

CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE (B. henselae)(Cat-Scratch Fever)

An infection caused by Bartonella henselae, characterized by regional lymphadenitis after a papule at the site of a cat scratch or tick bite. (see photo at right of cat scratch lesion on thumb)

The domestic cat is a major reservoir for B. henselae. The prevalence of B. henselae antibodies in cats in the USA is 14 to 50%. In one study, 41% of pet cats had bacteremia, although all were asymptomatic. Most of the implicated felines are healthy. The cat flea may be an additional vector.