How do you read Bartonella test results?

Interpretation. A positive immunofluorescence assay (IFA) IgM (titer >1:20) suggests a current infection with either Bartonella henselae or Bartonella quintana. A positive IgG (titer >1:128) suggests a current or previous infection. Increases in IgG titers in serial specimens suggest active infection.

Is there a cure for bartonellosis?

Although in most patients the disease resolves spontaneously within 2-4 months without treatment, in people with severe cases and/or patients with a suppressed immune system, such as HIV/AIDS, antibiotic treatment is recommended.

How do you test for bartonellosis?

Serology. Serology may be useful to confirm diagnosis of CSD and trench fever. Serologic assays can be used to confirm current or past exposure to Bartonella spp. Low sensitivity and cross-reactivity between Bartonella spp may complicate diagnosis in some cases.

What is the best treatment for Bartonella?

Bartonellosis is generally treated with macrolides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, or chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol is not usually used to treat either B henselae or B quintana infection, although it has been used to treat B bacilliformis infection. Chloramphenicol primarily has been used to treat Oroya fever.

What is the most accurate test for Bartonella?

Clinical Significance The FISH test provides a significant increase in specificity over standard gram stain for the presence of Bartonella in a whole blood smear. A positive result indicates the presence of bacterium from the Genus Bartonella, including B. berkhoffii, B. henselae, B.

Is Bartonella fatal?

Some of the diseases due to Bartonella species can resolve spontaneously without treatment, but in other cases, the disease is fatal without antibiotic treatment and/or surgery.

Is Bartonella an autoimmune disease?

1-16 Autoimmune Bartonella diseases are not common but can be severe. clinical signs. Bartonella induce very high antibody titers in cats and some humans, as well as cellular immune stimulation resulting in granuloma formations and lymphocyte and neutrophil accumulations in various tissues.

Can Bartonella cause anxiety?

Depression, anxiety and OCD are very common symptoms associated with Bartonella and the autoimmune encephalitis it causes.