title: Bartonellosis in cats: a role in uveitis?
abstract: Bartonellosis has been widely studied in human and veterinary medicine over the past two decades. Despite this fact, it remains an enigmatic disease in many ways. The causative bacteria, Bartonella spp, are transmitted to cats by fleas and thus the prevalence in cat populations, particularly in temperate climates, is high. Most cats, whether infected naturally or experimentally, remain asymptomatic. Thus, correlating the presence of the organism to clinical disease, including uveitis, in cats has been difficult. This review summarizes what is known of the transmission and pathogenesis of Bartonella spp in cats, the possible role of the organism in feline ocular disease, as well methods of diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN, USA. stilesj@purdue.edu
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stiles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001473:Bartonella; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002415:Cats; D058267:Flea Infestations / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D014605:Uveitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents