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Bartonella henselae infects human erythrocytes
Luiza Helena Urso Pitassi1, Renata Ferreira Magalhães, Maria Lourdes Barjas-Castro
1Department of Dermatology, Medical School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Sao Paulo, Brazil. pitassi@yahoo.com
Ultrastructural Pathology
|December 22, 2007
Summary
Bartonella henselae, a cause of cat scratch disease, invades human red blood cells (RBCs). This study observed B. henselae adhering to and entering RBCs, suggesting erythrocytes may be a primary target in Bartonella infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Bartonella henselae causes various human diseases, including cat scratch disease.
- Bartonella species are known to infect erythrocytes, but B. henselae's interaction with human erythrocytes was unclear.
- Previous studies showed B. bacilliformis and B. quintana infect human endothelial cells and erythrocytes, and B. henselae infects feline erythrocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Bartonella henselae infects mature human erythrocytes using transmission electron microscopy.
Main Methods:
- A unit of red blood cells (RBCs) was inoculated with a standard strain of B. henselae.
- Blood samples were collected at various time points (immediately, 30 min, 1, 5, 10, and 72 hours) post-inoculation.
- Ultrastructural evaluation was performed using transmission electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Bartonella henselae was observed adhering to human erythrocytes after 10 hours.
- B. henselae was found inside human erythrocytes by 72 hours post-inoculation.
- The study demonstrated adherence to and invasion of mature human erythrocytes by B. henselae.
Conclusions:
- Mature human erythrocytes can be infected by Bartonella henselae.
- Erythrocytes may serve as a primary target for Bartonella spp. infections.
- Further research is needed to prevent transfusion-transmitted Bartonella infections.
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