Quantitative analysis of proliferation and excretion of Bartonella quintana in body lice, Pediculus humanus L.
Although body louse is a well-known vector of trench fever, the growth kinetics of Bartonella quintana in body lice has not been fully understood. We performed a quantitative analysis of bacterial multiplication rate. B. quintana started proliferation in body lice 4 days after ingestion and was constantly excreted in the feces for at least 3 weeks. The number of bacteria in feces reached the maximum 10(7)/louse per day on Day 15. The doubling time of B. quintana estimated from logistic regression formula was 21.3 hours. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of bacterial masses in feces. Immunofluorescent study using specific monoclonal antibody confirmed identification of B. quintana. Such an explosive multiplication rate and active excretion of B. quintana from the body lice could be related to epidemics of trench fever in developed countries.
Seki
Naomi
N
Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
Kasai
Shinji
S
Saito
Noriko
N
Komagata
Osamu
O
Mihara
Minoru
M
Sasaki
Toshinori
T
Tomita
Takashi
T
Sasaki
Tsuguo
T
Kobayashi
Mutsuo
M
D000818:Animals; D018413:Bartonella quintana / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D010374:Pediculus / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors