Demonstration of Bartonella grahamii DNA in ocular fluids of a patient with neuroretinitis.
We describe the clinical and laboratory features of a 55-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-negative female patient who presented with bilateral intraocular inflammatory disease (neuroretinitis type) and behavioral changes caused by a Bartonella grahamii infection. Diagnosis was based on the PCR analysis of DNA extracted from the intraocular fluids. DNA analysis of the PCR product revealed a 100% identity with the 16S rRNA gene sequence of B. grahamii. The patient was successfully treated with doxycycline (200 mg/day) and rifampin (600 mg/day) for 4 weeks. This is the first report that demonstrates the presence of a Bartonella species in the intraocular fluids of a nonimmunocompromised patient and that indicates that B. grahamii is pathogenic for humans.
Kerkhoff
F T
FT
Department of Ophthalmology, F. C. Donders Institute, University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands. fkerkh@oogheel.azu.nl
Bergmans
A M
AM
van Der Zee
A
A
Rothova
A
A
D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000382:microbiology*; D001473:Bartonella / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012173:Retinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S