Rochalimaea's role in cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis

Article Abstract:

The bacterium Rochalimaea appears to be the infectious agent in cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis. Cat scratch disease is characterized by enlarged painful lymph nodes, fever and malaise. Cat exposure has been linked with 90% of known cases, and often the first symptom is a lesion at the site of a scratch. Recently, Rochalimaea henselae was isolated from two patients diagnosed with cat scratch disease. Bacillary angiomatosis is characterized by the rapid growth of small blood vessels in skin and internal organs, especially the liver and spleen. It has been seen more frequently in patients since the onset of the AIDS epidemic. Rochalimaea infection was confirmed in four patients with bacillary angiomatosis. Further studies are needed to explain why infection with Rochalimaea causes cat scratch disease in some and bacillary angiomatosis in others and why the two diseases respond differently to treatment with antimicrobial drugs.

Editorial, Diagnosis, Cat-scratch disease

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Bacillary angiomatosis and bacillary splenitis in immunocompetent adults

Article Abstract:

The bacterium Rochalimaea henselae appears to cause bacillary angiomatosis and bacillary splenitis, even in people with functioning immune systems. Bacillary angiomatosis is a disorder of blood vessels characterized by vascular lesions, and splenitis is inflammation of the spleen. Rochalimaea henselae infection has previously been associated with bacillary angiomatosis in patients who are immunosuppressed. Four patients with vascular lesions were diagnosed with bacillary angiomatosis. None were infected with HIV or taking any immunosuppressive drugs. A fifth patient, whose immune system was also normal, was diagnosed with splenitis and had his spleen removed. Tissue samples taken from three of the patients confirmed that Rochalimaea henselae was the organism responsible for infection. These three patients were all exposed to cats and cat fleas, and cat exposure has previously been associated with Rochalimaea infections.

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Colonic bacillary angiomatosis

Article Abstract:

Patients with a weak immune system who also have bloody diarrhea and cramping may have a treatable infection with the bacteria Bartonella in the large intestine. Researchers presented the medical history of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and a Bartonella infection with reddish tissue masses called angiomatomas and ulcers along the lining of the large intestine. Testing of an intestinal tissue sample and visualization of the intestinal lining with an endoscope identified the Bartonella infection and the angiomatomas. The bloody diarrhea symptoms and angiomatomas disappeared after treatment with the antibiotic doxycycline and steroid therapy. The patient, however, died of other causes.

Infection, Colon (Anatomy), Colon

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