Do we care if you have a cat? Bartonella infection related glomerulonephritis with no endocarditis

Girish Singhania1, Namrata Singhania2

  • 1Department of Hospital Medicine, CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, Little Rock, AR, USA.

Le Infezioni in Medicina
|December 18, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Bartonella infection can cause rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) without endocarditis. Early diagnosis via PCR and antibiotic treatment are crucial for managing this rare kidney disease.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Bartonella infections are linked to culture-negative endocarditis and, rarely, immune complex-mediated rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN).
  • Previous cases of Bartonella-associated RPGN predominantly involved endocarditis.

Observation:

  • This report details a unique case of RPGN occurring secondary to Bartonella infection in the absence of endocarditis.
  • The patient's social history and a high index of suspicion were critical in pursuing the diagnosis.

Findings:

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed Bartonella infection as the cause of RPGN.
  • Prompt antibiotic treatment was initiated.

Implications:

  • This case highlights that Bartonella can cause RPGN even without endocarditis, emphasizing the importance of considering this pathogen in unexplained RPGN.
  • A thorough social history and diagnostic PCR are vital for timely diagnosis and effective management of Bartonella-related kidney disease.

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