How Do You Diagnose A Bartonella Infection?
Bartonellosis is an infection by a bacterium in the Bartonella genus. At least twelve members of this genus have been identified, although only three are considered significant as far as human diseases go. B. bacilliformis can cause Oroya fever and verruga peruana. B. henselae can cause cat scratch disease, and B. quintana can cause trench fever. Both B. henselae and B quintana also may cause bacillary angiomatosis and bacillary peliosis. Notice that Oroya fever and verruga peruana are closely related infections with symptoms that can range from mild to severe and appear suddenly 3 to 12 weeks after being bitten by a sand fly. Body aches, breathing difficulty, chills, fever, headaches, seizures and sweating can occur in severe cases. Observe the site of a bite or scratch for symptoms of cat scratch disease. An enlarged lymph node and an inoculation lesion may develop 5 to 10 days following exposure and may last for up to a few weeks. Cat scratch disease is generally not serious in pati
