Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bartonella infection and illness signs in pet cats
By Sykes, Jane E et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2010·Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Association between Bartonella species infection and disease in pet cats as determined using serology and culture.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 298 cats was tested for Bartonella species, which can cause health issues, to see if there was a link between infection and illness. The tests showed that 17% of the cats had antibodies for Bartonella henselae, and some had symptoms like gingivostomatitis, a painful inflammation of the gums and mouth. However, there was no strong connection found between Bartonella and other conditions like eye problems or kidney disease. The findings suggest that while Bartonella can be present in sick cats, it may not be the cause of all their symptoms.
People also search for: cat gingivostomatitis treatment · Bartonella infection in cats · cat kidney disease symptoms
Abstract
This study's objective was to determine whether a relationship exists between infection or seropositivity to Bartonella species and clinical illness in cats. Blood samples were obtained for Bartonella species isolation and immunofluorescent antibody serology from 298 cats presenting to a tertiary referral hospital. Medical records were searched and the history, physical examination findings and the results of diagnostic testing relating to the visit at which Bartonella species testing was performed were recorded. Fifty-two (17%) samples were seropositive for Bartonella henselae, four (1%) for Bartonella clarridgeiae, and 57 (19%) for both organisms. Nineteen (6.4%) samples were culture positive, 17 for B henselae and two for B clarridgeiae. Gingivostomatitis was associated with Bartonella species isolation (P=0.001), but not seropositivity. There was no association with uveitis, neurologic signs, or chronic kidney disease, and a weak association between seropositivity and idiopathic lower urinary tract disease (feline interstitial cystitis) (P=0.05).
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20570199/