title: Association between Bartonella species infection and disease in pet cats as determined using serology and culture.
abstract: This study's objective was to determine whether a relationship exists between infection or seropositivity to Bartonella species and clinical illness in cats. Blood samples were obtained for Bartonella species isolation and immunofluorescent antibody serology from 298 cats presenting to a tertiary referral hospital. Medical records were searched and the history, physical examination findings and the results of diagnostic testing relating to the visit at which Bartonella species testing was performed were recorded. Fifty-two (17%) samples were seropositive for Bartonella henselae, four (1%) for Bartonella clarridgeiae, and 57 (19%) for both organisms. Nineteen (6.4%) samples were culture positive, 17 for B henselae and two for B clarridgeiae. Gingivostomatitis was associated with Bartonella species isolation (P=0.001), but not seropositivity. There was no association with uveitis, neurologic signs, or chronic kidney disease, and a weak association between seropositivity and idiopathic lower urinary tract disease (feline interstitial cystitis) (P=0.05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Avenue, 2108 Tupper Hall, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. jesykes@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.forename: Joellen L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Westropp
authors.forename: Rick W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kasten
authors.forename: Bruno B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Chomel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D001473:Bartonella / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies