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A miraculous recovery: Bartonella henselae infection following a red ant bite

Pramod K Guru1, Anjali Agarwal1, Ashley Fritz2

  • 1Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

BMJ Case Reports
|May 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

This study reports an extremely rare case of Bartonella henselae infection, typically spread by fleas after cat bites, potentially transmitted via a red ant bite. The patient recovered fully after delayed diagnosis and treatment for encephalopathy and pulmonary embolism.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacteriology
  • Medical Entomology

Background:

  • Bartonella species cause bartonellosis in humans.
  • Bartonella henselae, typically transmitted by fleas from cats, causes cat scratch disease.
  • Bartonella henselae is one of three main species causing human infections.

Observation:

  • A rare case of Bartonella henselae infection is presented.
  • The infection was presumably contracted through a red ant bite, an unusual transmission route.
  • The patient experienced prolonged encephalopathy due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Findings:

  • The patient developed two episodes of pulseless electrical activity cardiac arrest.
  • Pulmonary embolism complicated the patient's hospital course.
  • Prompt antimicrobial and anticoagulation therapy led to full recovery without neurological deficits.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for Bartonella henselae transmission through non-flea vectors.
  • It underscores the importance of considering unusual exposure routes in diagnosing bartonellosis.
  • Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing severe Bartonella henselae infections and complications.
Keywords:
adult intensive careinfection (neurology)infectious diseasesvenous thromboembolism

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