PURPOSE: To compare the seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae, a pathogen of cat scratch disease, in patients with uveitis and in healthy individuals. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 197 consecutive patients with various entities of uveitis at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, and from 83 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers. Anti-Bartonella IgG and IgM antibodies were examined by indirect immunofluorescent antibody. RESULTS: Serum antibodies to B. henselae were positive in 39 of 197 (19.8%) patients with uveitis, and in 21 of 83 (25.3%) of the healthy volunteers. There was no statistical difference in the seroprevalence between the two groups. The overall seroprevalence of B. henselae was 60 of 280 (21.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of B. henselae was similar in both patients with uveitis and in healthy volunteers in Tokyo, Japan. These data indicate that a significant number of healthy individuals are asymptomatic carriers of B. henselae, which should be kept in mind when a diagnosis of cat scratch disease is made.
PURPOSE: To compare the seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae, a pathogen of cat scratch disease, in patients with uveitis and in healthy individuals. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 197 consecutive patients with various entities of uveitis at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, and from 83 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers. Anti-Bartonella IgG and IgM antibodies were examined by indirect immunofluorescent antibody. RESULTS: Serum antibodies to B. henselae were positive in 39 of 197 (19.8%) patients with uveitis, and in 21 of 83 (25.3%) of the healthy volunteers. There was no statistical difference in the seroprevalence between the two groups. The overall seroprevalence of B. henselae was 60 of 280 (21.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of B. henselae was similar in both patients with uveitis and in healthy volunteers in Tokyo, Japan. These data indicate that a significant number of healthy individuals are asymptomatic carriers of B. henselae, which should be kept in mind when a diagnosis of cat scratch disease is made.
Authors: A N Gurfield; H J Boulouis; B B Chomel; R W Kasten; R Heller; C Bouillin; C Gandoin; D Thibault; C C Chang; F Barrat; Y Piemont Journal: Vet Microbiol Date: 2001-05-21 Impact factor: 3.293
Authors: K C Golnik; M E Marotto; M M Fanous; D Heitter; L P King; J I Halpern; P H Holley Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 1994-08-15 Impact factor: 5.258
Authors: D M Demers; J W Bass; J M Vincent; D A Person; D K Noyes; C M Staege; C P Samlaska; N H Lockwood; R L Regnery; B E Anderson Journal: J Pediatr Date: 1995-07 Impact factor: 4.406
Authors: K M Zangwill; D H Hamilton; B A Perkins; R L Regnery; B D Plikaytis; J L Hadler; M L Cartter; J D Wenger Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1993-07-01 Impact factor: 91.245