Bartonellosis

Bartonellosis is a bacterial disease transmitted to humans by sandflies, fleas and lice.

Bartonella bacteria are responsible for “cat scratch disease” caused by Bartonella henselae. It is also transmitted to humans by flea bites.

During World Wars 1 and 2, Bartonella quintana caused outbreaks of “trench fever”, transmitted to humans by lice.

Bartonella bacilliformis is the causative organism for Oroya fever. This rare infectious disease is transmitted to humans by sandflies. It is endemic to Peru but also found in Colombia and Ecuador.

It is estimated that more than 12,000 people are diagnosed with cat-scratch disease in the United States annually. Cases are more likely to be diagnosed in children the southern states and be aged between 5 and 9 years. The rates are also high in women aged 60 to 64 years and probably reflects cat ownership. The highest incidence of the disease is in January.

Cat-scratch disease is found worldwide.

Based on studies in the USA, it is estimated that more than 2,000 cases of cat-scratch disease occur annually in Australia with more than 200 hospitalisations. Feral cats are more likely to be infected with Bartonella henselae.