Abstract
Background: The genus Bartonella is comprised of a rapidly increasing number of pathogenic species that induce a seemingly diverse spectrum of neurological symptoms. During the 12 year period that followed the initial onset of neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms, an 11 year-old girl experienced a spectrum of neurological complaints including frequent headaches, visual and auditory hallucinations, anxiety, vision loss involving the lower left quadrant of both eyes, episodic bouts of generalized paralysis, facial palsy, chronic insomnia, seizures, dizziness, cognitive dysfunction, and memory loss. PCR assays targeting Bartonella spp. were used to test formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded brain tissue, patient blood specimens and Bartonella alpha Proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) enrichment blood cultures. PCR positive amplicons were sequenced directly and compared to GenBank sequences. Bartonella spp. serology was performed by indirect fluorescent antibody testing and confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to visualize B. henselae organisms in resected brain. Results: Bartonella henselae DNA was independently PCR amplified and sequenced from the girl's right parietal lobe, surgically resected in 2000 and from a blood specimen collected in 2012. Although causation cannot be established by a case report, prior diagnostic testing resulted in findings that were either inconclusive or within normal reference ranges and no etiological diagnosis had been obtained to explain the patient's initial or progressive neurological symptoms. Conclusions: As intravascular, intra-erythrocytic and endotheliotropic bacteria, it is possible that B. henselae initially induced a vasculitis, resulting in secondary cerebral infarction, tissue necrosis and surgical resection. Bartonella bacteremia, potentially spanning a 12-year time frame, in conjunction with the therapeutic administration of immunosuppressive drugs may have resulted in a progression and potentiation of the neurological disease that was partially reversible following antibiotic administration.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 254 |
Journal | Parasites and Vectors |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 10 2016 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors would like to thank Julie Bradley for technical assistance and Barbara Hegarty for careful review of the manuscript. This case study was supported in part by the State of North Carolina and donations to the Vector Borne Disease Research Fund, North Carolina State University Veterinary Medical Foundation. Publication of this manuscript was sponsored by Bayer Animal Health in the framework of the 11th CVBD World Forum Symposium
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Balakrishnan et al.
Keywords
- Bartonella henselae San Antonio 2 vasculitis
- Neurobartonellosis