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Pericardial effusion in a homeless man due to Bartonella quintana

P Y Levy1, P E Fournier, M Carta

  • 1Unité des Rickettsies, IFR48, CNRS UMR 6020, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|November 8, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Bartonella quintana infection can cause pericardial effusion, a rare condition previously unreported. Diagnosis in a homeless man involved PCR and antibody tests, with successful treatment using antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Bartonella quintana is known to cause various infections, including trench fever and endocarditis.
  • Pericarditis has been documented with Rickettsia conorii and Coxiella burnetii, but not Bartonella species.
  • Bartonella quintana reemergence is noted in urban homeless populations.

Observation:

  • A case of pericardial effusion in a homeless man is presented.
  • The effusion was diagnosed as being caused by Bartonella quintana infection.

Findings:

  • Bartonella quintana was detected in the patient's pericardial biopsy sample via PCR.
  • A fourfold increase in antibody titers confirmed the diagnosis.
  • The patient showed clinical improvement within two weeks.

Implications:

  • This case expands the spectrum of Bartonella quintana-associated diseases.
  • It highlights the importance of considering Bartonella in pericardial effusion, especially in at-risk populations.
  • Effective antibiotic treatment for Bartonella pericarditis is demonstrated.

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