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Published on: November 4, 2025
Human seroreactivity against Bartonella species in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Anne Laudisoit1, Jennifer Iverson, Simon Neerinckx
1University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom. Anne.Laudisoit@liverpool.ac.uk
Insights
This study found Bartonella species in 4.5% of human blood samples from the DRC, marking the first report of Bartonella clarridgeiae antibodies in an African population. Further research is needed to understand Bartonellosis transmission.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Bartonella species are increasingly recognized as emerging human pathogens.
- Limited data exists on Bartonella prevalence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and identify Bartonella species in human blood samples from the DRC.
- To establish a baseline for Bartonella infections in this region.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous human blood samples (n=155) were collected from Congolese patients.
- Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used for serological testing against six Bartonella antigens and Coxiella burnetii.
- A titre greater than 1:200 was considered positive for Bartonella species.
Main Results:
- 4.5% of samples tested positive for Bartonella henselae, Bartonella quintana, or Bartonella clarridgeiae.
- No samples were positive for Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. vinsonii, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. arupensis, or Coxiella burnetii.
- This study represents the first detection of Bartonella species in the DRC.
Conclusions:
- This preliminary study is the first to report Bartonella species in the DRC.
- It is also the first report of antibodies to Bartonella clarridgeiae in an African human population.
- Bartonellosis may be a flea-borne disease, with reservoirs requiring further investigation.
Objective:
To assess the presence and identity of Bartonella species in a pool of human blood samples from DRC Congo.
Methods:
Blood (±120μL) was collected anonymously from Congolese patients and placed on calibrated filter papers. Bartonella serology determination was performed using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) against six specific Bartonella antigens and Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) antigen. The end cut-off value for Bartonella sp. was a titre greater than 1:200.
Results:
None of the patients was positive for Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. vinsonii or Bartonella vinsonii subsp. arupensis nor for C. burnetti, but 4.5% of the 155 samples were positive for either Bartonella henselae, Bartonella quintana, or Bartonella clarridgeiae.
Conclusions:
This preliminary study presents the first report of Bartonella species in the DR Congo and the first report of antibodies to Bartonella clarridgeiae in an African human population. Although few experimental trials have established the link between fleas and Bartonella transmission, the repeated detection of similar Bartonella species in fleas and humans in several countries suggests that Bartonellosis could be another flea-borne disease which specific reservoirs are still unknown.
