Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bartonella infection signs in cats with brain and nerve disease
By Leibovitz, Karyn et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2008·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Bartonella species antibodies and DNA in cerebral spinal fluid of cats with central nervous system disease.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with central nervous system (CNS) disease was tested for Bartonella species, a type of bacteria that can cause infections. Out of 100 cats, 36 had antibodies in their blood, and 11 showed signs of antibody production in their spinal fluid. Additionally, DNA from the bacteria was found in the spinal fluid of 10 cats. While the exact impact of these findings is still unclear, they suggest a potential link between Bartonella infections and neurological issues in cats. Further studies are needed to understand this connection better.
People also search for: cat neurological disease symptoms · Bartonella infection in cats · cat spinal fluid test results
Abstract
Bartonella species infection is associated with central nervous system (CNS) disease in some humans and cats but the diagnosis is difficult to confirm with blood or serum test results. In this retrospective study of 100 client-owned cats, serum and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) were assayed for Bartonella species IgG antibodies and CSF was assayed for Bartonella species DNA. Bartonella species IgG antibodies were detected in serum of 36 cats, Bartonella species C-values>1 (suggesting antibody production by the CNS) were detected in CSF of 11 cats, and B henselae DNA was amplified from the CSF of 10 cats. While the clinical significance of these findings cannot be assessed without a control group, the development of neurological signs in some cats inoculated with B henselae and the results of this study warrant prospective evaluation of the association of Bartonella species with feline CNS disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18400536/