Antonietta Picascia1, Chiara Pagliuca2, Linda Sommese3, Roberta Colicchio4, Amelia Casamassimi5, Francesco Labonia6, Gabiria Pastore7, Caterina Pagliarulo7, Annunziata Gaetana Cicatiello8, Francesco Castaldo8, Concetta Schiano9, Ciro Maiello10, Ernesto Mezza11, Francesco Paolo D'Armiento11, Paola Salvatore8, Claudio Napoli12. 1. Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy; U.O.C. Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: antonietta.picascia@policliniconapoli.it. 2. Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy; Department of Integrated Activities of Laboratory Medicine, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy. 3. U.O.C. Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. 4. Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy; Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development (SDN), Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Naples, Italy. 5. Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. 6. Department of Integrated Activities of Laboratory Medicine, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy. 7. Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy. 8. Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy. 9. Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development (SDN), Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Naples, Italy. 10. Department of Cardiothoracic Sciences, Monaldi Hospital, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. 11. Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pathology, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy. 12. U.O.C. Division of Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy; Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development (SDN), Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Naples, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bartonella henselae is the etiologic agent of cat-scratch disease. B. henselae infections are responsible for a widening spectrum of human diseases, although often symptomless, ranging from self-limited to life-threatening and show different courses and organ involvement due to the balance between host and pathogen. The role of the host immune response to B. henselae is critical in preventing progression to systemic disease. Indeed in immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ transplant patients, B. henselae results in severe disseminated disease and pathologic vasoproliferation. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of B. henselae in patients awaiting heart transplant compared to healthy individuals enrolled in the Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology of Second University of Naples. METHODS: Serum samples of 38 patients awaiting heart transplant in comparison to 50 healthy donors were examined using immunfluorescence assay. RESULTS: We found a B. henselae significant antibody positivity rate of 21% in patients awaiting heart transplant (p = 0.002). There was a positive rate of 8% (p > 0.05) for immunoglobulin (Ig)M and a significant value of 13% (p = 0.02) for IgG, whereas controls were negative both for IgM and IgG antibodies against B. henselae. The differences in comorbidity between cases and controls were statistically different (1.41 ± 0.96 vs 0.42 ± 0.32; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although this study was conducted in a small number of patients, we suggest that the identification of these bacteria should be included as a routine screening analysis in pretransplant patients.
BACKGROUND:Bartonella henselae is the etiologic agent of cat-scratch disease. B. henselae infections are responsible for a widening spectrum of human diseases, although often symptomless, ranging from self-limited to life-threatening and show different courses and organ involvement due to the balance between host and pathogen. The role of the host immune response to B. henselae is critical in preventing progression to systemic disease. Indeed in immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ transplant patients, B. henselae results in severe disseminated disease and pathologic vasoproliferation. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of B. henselae in patients awaiting heart transplant compared to healthy individuals enrolled in the Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology of Second University of Naples. METHODS: Serum samples of 38 patients awaiting heart transplant in comparison to 50 healthy donors were examined using immunfluorescence assay. RESULTS: We found a B. henselae significant antibody positivity rate of 21% in patients awaiting heart transplant (p = 0.002). There was a positive rate of 8% (p > 0.05) for immunoglobulin (Ig)M and a significant value of 13% (p = 0.02) for IgG, whereas controls were negative both for IgM and IgG antibodies against B. henselae. The differences in comorbidity between cases and controls were statistically different (1.41 ± 0.96 vs 0.42 ± 0.32; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although this study was conducted in a small number of patients, we suggest that the identification of these bacteria should be included as a routine screening analysis in pretransplant patients.
Authors: Amal S M Sayed; Reem M Alsaadawy; Magda M Ali; Rawhia F Abd El-Hamid; Roua Sami Baty; Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy Journal: Front Vet Sci Date: 2022-04-14