The CDC estimates that 15% of US adults are affected by chronic kidney disease, with about 90% being unaware of their reduced kidney function. This is partially because the exact cause or trigger of kidney disease is often unknown. It could be a result of high blood pressure, autoimmune conditions, genetic susceptibility, infections, or other […]
Bartonella and Bones
Chronic Bartonella species infections (bartonellosis) can lead to inflammation that impacts the heart, nervous system, and more. According to case studies, these stealth pathogens can also target the bones. How can Bartonella affect a structure that is usually impervious to infection? History: From World War I to HIV/AIDS During World War I, one million soldiers […]
One Health Trio: Dr. Breitschwerdt’s Three Publications about Vector-borne Pathogens and His Family
As often happens in healthcare, specialists enter their field because of a personal experience with their specialty or because those personal experiences find them or those whom they love. The vector-borne disease researchers at Galaxy Diagnostics include people with these experiences. We are pleased to see One Health Month giving people the opportunity to tell […]
Bartonella and Blood: Infection of Erythrocytes
Bartonella species are notoriously difficult to detect when testing patient blood specimens. The bacteria use immunosuppression as a tactic to avoid immune recognition, so serology tests that detect antibodies can be negative even during a long-standing infection. Furthermore, the bacteria move in and out of the blood in a relapsing pattern. Therefore, a PCR test […]
How Likely is Bartonellosis in Dogs?
Cats receive most of the attention when it comes to Bartonella prevalence and transmission because they are natural carriers of the bacteria. There is even an illness named after how they transmit Bartonella henselae to humans (cat scratch disease or cat scratch fever). However, competent vectors for Bartonella species (insects and arachnids that are able […]
Bartonellosis: A Hidden Cause of Splenomegaly
An enlarged spleen can present a diagnostic mystery. The spleen is an organ that is like a large lymph node (see our previous blog post on bartonellosis and lymph nodes). It cleans old red blood cells from the bloodstream and as part of that process is exposed to everything in the body. The spleen can […]
