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[Endocarditis due to Bartonella spp. Three new clinical cases and Spanish literature review]

José Antonio Oteo1, Alberto Castilla, Angel Arosey

  • 1Area de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Complejo Hospitalario San Millán-San Pedro de La Rioja, Hospital de La Rioja, Logroño, España. jaoteo@riojasalud.es

Enfermedades Infecciosas Y Microbiologia Clinica
|June 10, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Bartonella spp. infections cause culture-negative endocarditis, often underestimated in Spain. Suspect Bartonella in patients with risk factors like alcoholism or cat contact, especially with negative blood cultures.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Bartonella spp. cause emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
  • Culture-negative endocarditis is a significant clinical presentation of Bartonella infections.

Observation:

  • Three new cases of Bartonella endocarditis were reported in Spain, totaling six cases.
  • The median patient age was 51.6 years, with 83.3% being male.
  • Common risk factors included cat contact (66.7%) and alcoholism (50%).

Findings:

  • Bartonella henselae was identified as the causative agent in all cases.
  • Diagnosis was primarily achieved through serology in 83.3% of patients.
  • The aortic valve was most frequently affected, and 66.7% required valve replacement.

Implications:

  • Bartonella endocarditis is likely underdiagnosed in Spain.
  • Clinical suspicion should be raised in patients with negative blood cultures, alcoholism, cat exposure, or positive Chlamydia spp. serology.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes, even with valve replacement.

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