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Atypical bartonellosis in children: What do we know?
Ana P Lemos1, Rui Domingues1, Catarina Gouveia1
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Lisbon, Portugal.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|December 10, 2020
Summary
Bartonella infections in children, often linked to cat contact, present with diverse symptoms like bone or spleen issues. Treatment varies, highlighting the need for further research into optimal management strategies for pediatric bartonellosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Bartonella infections are increasingly recognized in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the spectrum of Bartonella manifestations and treatment outcomes in children is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Bartonella infections in hospitalized children.
- To review the treatment approaches for pediatric Bartonella infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, longitudinal observational study.
- Data collected from a pediatric tertiary hospital between 2010 and 2019.
- Inclusion of 16 pediatric cases diagnosed with Bartonella infection.
Main Results:
- 16 pediatric cases identified, mean age 8.0 years, with cat contact in 14.
- Common presentations included osteomyelitis/arthritis (9 cases), hepatosplenic disease (2), and neuroretinitis (2).
- Diagnosis confirmed by serology and Bartonella DNA detection; varied treatment regimens were employed based on clinical presentation.
Conclusions:
- A high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosing Bartonella infections in children, considering epidemiological context.
- No association was found between systemic Bartonella forms and immunodeficiency in this cohort.
- The lack of established treatment guidelines for atypical Bartonella infections presents a challenge, necessitating randomized controlled trials for definitive management strategies.
