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[Bartonella henselae in children with regional adenitis treated in a Peruvian national hospital, 2012]
Edwin Miranda-Choque1, Jorge Candela-Herrera1, Javier Díaz-Pereda1
1Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Lima, Perú
Insights
A high frequency of Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) infections was found in Peruvian children with regional adenitis. Over 80% tested positive, indicating a significant association between this infection and adenitis in the studied pediatric population.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
Context:
- Regional adenitis is a common pediatric condition.
- Bartonella henselae is a known cause of cat scratch disease.
- Limited data exists on B. henselae prevalence in Peruvian children with adenitis.
Purpose:
- To determine the frequency of Bartonella henselae seropositivity in children with regional adenitis in Peru.
- To identify associated factors for B. henselae infection in this cohort.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study in 106 children (aged 5-11) with regional adenitis in Peru found 81.1% seropositivity for B. henselae.
- Factors associated with infection included younger age (5 years), fever, larger lymphadenopathy (>4 cm), and cat contact.
- Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect B. henselae antibodies.
Impact:
- Highlights the high prevalence of B. henselae in children with regional adenitis in Peru.
- Suggests B. henselae should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric adenitis in this region.
- Informs public health strategies for preventing cat-related infections in children.
Abstract:
In order to determine the frequency of seropositive cases of Bartonella henselae in children with regional adenitis treated in a national hospital in Peru, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 106 children with regional adenitis greater than 1 cm in diameter. The sample was selected from patients aged 5-11 years seen at the National Institute of Child Health for acute onset of regional adentitis, with more than five days of symptoms. B. henselae seropositivity was defined by indirect immunofluorescence test. We found that 86 children (81.1%) were positive for B.henselae. The median age of the patients was 7 years. In the bivariate analysis, the following associated factors were found: aged 5 years, history of fever, lymphadenopathy greater than 4 cm and reported contact with cat. In conclusion, children with regional adenitis treated in this national referral hospital showed a high frequency of positive serology for B. henselae.