Bartonella quintana

Bartonella quintana is a gram-negative bacteria species and is the causative agent of trench fever, a disease that was first identified during World War I. This bacterium is a member of the genus Bartonella, which includes several other species that are also human pathogens.

History

Bartonella quintana was first identified during World War I, when it caused an outbreak of trench fever among soldiers. The bacterium was initially named Rickettsia quintana in honor of the American bacteriologist Stanford Quintan, but was later reclassified as Bartonella quintana.

Characteristics

Bartonella quintana is a gram-negative bacteria, meaning it does not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram stain procedure. It is a facultative intracellular parasite, which means it can live within or outside host cells. The bacterium is rod-shaped and is typically 1.5-2.0 micrometers in length.

Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Bartonella quintana is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected human body louse. Once in the human body, the bacterium can infect endothelial cells and red blood cells, leading to the symptoms of trench fever. These symptoms typically include fever, headache, and muscle pain, and can last for several weeks.

In addition to trench fever, Bartonella quintana can also cause bacillary angiomatosis, a disease characterized by the formation of tumor-like masses in the skin and internal organs, and endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of Bartonella quintana infection is typically made through blood culture or serology, which involves testing for the presence of antibodies against the bacterium in the patient's blood. Treatment usually involves antibiotics, such as doxycycline or erythromycin.

See Also

• Bartonella henselae
• Trench fever
• Bacillary angiomatosis
• Endocarditis