(bart″ŏn-el′ă)

[Alberto L. Barton, Peruvian physician, 1871-1950]
A genus of gram-negative bacteria of the family Bartonellaceae, that cause infections transmitted to humans from animal hosts.

Bartonella bacilliformis

A species that causes bartonellosis.
SEE: bartonellosis.

Bartonella elizabethae

The species, previously known as Rochalimaea elizabethae, that causes an infection most often identified in immunocompromised patients with HIV infection. It has been implicated as a cause of bacteremia and endocarditis.

Bartonella henselae

A species that, together with B. quintana, causes acute and persistent bacteremia and localized tissue infection, which may lead to bacillary angiomatosis, bacillary peliosis, and other inflammatory responses. This infection can occur in the immunocompromised and immunocompetent but is seen most frequently in patients with HIV infection. B. henselae, previously named Rochalimaea henselae, is the causative agent of cat scratch disease. Therapy for bacillary angiomatosis is oral antibiotics.
SEE: bacillary angiomatosis; SEE: disease, cat scratch; SEE: peliosis, bacillary

Bartonella quintana

The species, previously known as Rochalimaea quintana, spread by the body louse. During World War I, it caused epidemics of trench fever in battlefield troops. It is now commonly identified in homeless people. Together with B. henselae, it may cause bacillary angiomatosis, bacillary peliosis, and other inflammatory diseases. Treatment includes oral antibiotics.
SEE: trench fever