Bartonella henselae and inflammatory bowel disease

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease often diagnosed in adolescents.
• Ileitis, inflammation of the ileum, can present with non-specific symptoms and imaging findings.
• Bartonella henselae is a bacterium known to cause cat scratch disease, typically manifesting with lymphadenopathy.

Observation:

• An adolescent male presented with persistent fever and thickened distal ileum on ultrasound.
• Initial clinical and imaging findings were suggestive of Crohn's disease.
• Diagnostic serology confirmed Bartonella henselae infection.

Findings:

• The patient's symptoms resolved following treatment for Bartonella henselae infection.
• This case suggests a potential association between Bartonella henselae infection and ileitis.
• Ileitis may be an atypical presentation of Bartonella henselae infection in children.

Implications:

• Bartonella henselae infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric ileitis, especially when Crohn's disease is suspected.
• Early identification and treatment of Bartonella henselae can prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary long-term therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which Bartonella henselae may induce ileal inflammation.