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Bartonella (Rochalimaea) quintana infections
1Unité des Rickettsies, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique EP J0054, Faculté de médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.
Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Bartonella quintana causes trench fever and other serious infections, particularly in vulnerable populations. Research suggests this bacterium stimulates blood vessel growth, leading to persistent infections and relapses.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Bartonella quintana is the cause of trench fever, historically linked to World Wars.
- Modern molecular techniques have expanded the known spectrum of Bartonella infections.
- B. quintana is associated with fever, bacteremia, endocarditis, bacillary angiomatosis, and lymphadenopathy, especially in immunocompromised individuals and the homeless.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the expanding spectrum of Bartonella quintana infections.
- To discuss the epidemiological factors and potential vectors of B. quintana.
- To explore the role of B. quintana in stimulating angiogenesis and its implications for treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Bartonella quintana infections.
- Analysis of clinical and epidemiological data.
- In vitro studies on B. quintana-endothelial cell interactions.
Main Results:
- B. quintana infections present with diverse clinical manifestations beyond trench fever.
- Poverty and louse infestation are historical risk factors; modern vectors are unclear.
- B. quintana survives in endothelial cells, stimulates proliferation, and promotes angiogenesis, contributing to lesion development.
- Bartonella infections show high relapse rates, and only aminoglycosides are bactericidal in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Bartonella quintana is an emerging opportunistic pathogen with a broad clinical spectrum.
- Understanding B. quintana's role in angiogenesis is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
- Further research is needed to establish optimal antibiotic regimens for Bartonella infections, considering high relapse rates and in vitro susceptibility patterns.