title: Bartonella henselae in canine cavitary effusions: prevalence, identification, and clinical associations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous reports suggest an association between Bartonella infection and effusions in dogs and human beings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of Bartonella infection in canine effusions and to investigate historic and clinical parameters predictive of Bartonella in dogs with effusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Canine cavitary effusions submitted for analysis and, if available, paired EDTA blood, were screened for Bartonella infection using the Bartonella α-proteobacteria growth medium enrichment culture/PCR diagnostic platform (Bartonella enrichment PCR or ePCR) at Galaxy Diagnostics, Inc.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bartonella henselaeDNA was PCR-amplified and sequenced from 15% (12/80) of sampled dogs. Enrichment culture prior to PCR testing was required for Bartonella detection in 92% (11/12) of cases. Twenty percent (4/20), 13% (8/60), and 0% (0/4) of dogs with pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial effusions, respectively, tested positive. Bartonella henselae was detected most frequently in the fall, and young and middle-aged dogs appeared to be overrepresented. Golden Retrievers and Yorkshire/Silky Terriers each comprised 25% of infected dogs (odds ratio 3.4 for Golden Retrievers). There was a weak association with hemorrhagic effusions. Fifty percent of Bartonella-positive dogs had hemorrhage as a component of their effusion compared to 37% of PCR-negative dogs (odds ratio 1.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Viable B henselae organisms occur in pleural and peritoneal effusions of dogs; the clinical relevance of which remains unclear and may represent opportunistic infection. Associations found in this study included seasonal variation, age, breed, and site of effusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3481-5393
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Weeden
authors.affiliation: Galaxy Diagnostics, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Cherry
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Breitschwerdt
authors.affiliation: Galaxy Diagnostics, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Avery G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cheves
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Wamsley
mesh_terms: D016917:Angiomatosis, Bacillary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D018416:Bartonella henselae; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons
keywords: Bartonellosis; dog; peritoneal effusion; pleural effusion; seasonal variation