title: Molecular detection of Bartonella henselae in 11 Ixodes ricinus ticks extracted from a single cat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bartonella henselae is a highly prevalent, vector-borne pathogen. Transmission to humans and animals by ticks is discussed controversially. Here, we present a case report, where eleven Ixodes ricinus ticks all harbouring B. henselae DNA were removed from one single cat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The first feeding tick was tested positive for B. henselae DNA. The cat was also found to be seropositive for anti-B. henselae IgG antibodies (titer 1:640). Bartonella henselae was not cultivatable from cat blood. Ten more feeding ticks removed 7 months later contained also B. henselae DNA. Sequence analysis of the 16SrDNA and the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed 100% sequence homology between all ticks. Bartonella adhesin A (badA) and VirB/VirD4 type IV secretion system (virB) DNA were also detected in all ticks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that cats may serve as a reservoir for adult ticks to acquire B. henselae. Whether this observation implies an increased threat for human and animal health needs to be resolved.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Regier
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Wibke
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ballhorn
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. volkhard.kempf@kgu.de.
authors.forename: Volkhard A J
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Kempf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000382:microbiology*; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D018884:Ixodes / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: BadA; Feline bartonellosis; Transmission; Vector-borne infections; VirB; Zoonosis