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Carrion's disease: more than a neglected disease
Meritxell Garcia-Quintanilla1, Alexander A Dichter1, Humberto Guerra2
1University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Parasites & Vectors
|March 27, 2019
Summary
Carrion's disease, caused by Bartonella bacilliformis, presents as a severe hemolytic fever or angiogenic skin lesions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on this human-restricted pathogen, its transmission, and disease models.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Carrion's disease is caused by Bartonella bacilliformis, endemic to Andean valleys.
- The disease has two phases: acute hemolytic Oroya fever and chronic verruga peruana skin lesions.
- Bartonella bacilliformis transmission occurs via Lutzomyia sand flies, with humans as the sole known reservoir.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on Bartonella bacilliformis.
- To discuss pathogenicity factors, vectors, and potential reservoirs.
- To explore established and potential infection models and immunological aspects of Carrion's disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Bartonella bacilliformis research.
- Synthesis of information on epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenesis.
- Analysis of existing and potential animal models for Carrion's disease.
Main Results:
- Bartonella bacilliformis causes high-mortality Oroya fever and chronic verruga peruana.
- The lack of an animal reservoir complicates disease modeling.
- Current understanding of B. bacilliformis pathogenicity and host immune response is presented.
Conclusions:
- Further research into Bartonella bacilliformis infection models is needed.
- Understanding immunological aspects is crucial for developing interventions.
- Comprehensive knowledge synthesis aids future research and clinical management of Carrion's disease.