Emerging metagenomic research increasingly shows the clinical importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. However, this can be challenging for patients who are managing chronic vector-borne infections with long-term antibiotic regimens. Physicians will often recommend probiotics that may help alleviate unwanted side effects, but what are they? And how do they work? Probiotics are described […]
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 […]
Bartonella vs. Borrelia: Key Differences You Should Know
Bartonella and Lyme Borrelia are easily confused because they are both vector-borne bacteria with similar sounding names and frequently have complex, interrelated roles in chronic illnesses. Patients often believe Bartonella and Borrelia are the same before speaking to us, or they may mistake something they read online about one for the other. In this post, […]
Bats: Another Host for Bartonella?
Bats are among the most widely distributed mammals worldwide, often living in dense and diverse populations near suburban housing and camping sites. Their health relationship with people is complex and interdependent, illustrating the One Health concept. Bats help control harmful insects like mosquitoes. However, research suggests that they are a reservoir for novel pathogenic Bartonella […]