Bartonella spp

[European Heart J 2009;30:2369-2413.]

Clinical

B. quintana  
- associated with alcoholism, homelessness, body lice.

B. henselae
- contact with cats, previous valvular disease
- valve surgery required in > 50% of patients

Diagnosis

• Blood cultures – requires special blood culture media; only occasionally positive

• Serology - antibody titre ≥ 1:800

• Culture, immunohistology and PCR of surgical material