SURVEY OF VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER VETERINARY CONFERENCE ATTENDEES FOR ANTIBODIES TO BARTONELLA-HENSELAE AND BARTONELLA-QUINTANA

Objective-To determine serologic and epidemiologic characteristics of an occupational group potentially at risk for Bartonella sp infection. Design-Epidemiologic survey. Sample Population-351 veterinarians, vet erinary technicians, and other individuals attending a veterinary conf erence in Ohio. Procedure-A serum sample was obtained from each indivi dual and tested for antibodies to Bartonella was administered regardin g demographic, occupational, and exposure information. Results-25 (7.1 %) individuals were seropositive for B henselae or B quintana. Forty-s even, of whom 5 were seropositive, reported a history of illness consi stent with cat-scratch disease and 18, of whom 3 were seropositive, re ported a previous diagnosis of cat-scratch disease. Of the variables a nalyzed, only years of experience with cats was correlated with seropo sitivity. Clinical Implications-The overall seroprevalence for 2 speci es of Bartonella in this occupational group was only slightly higher t han that reported from other surveys. Seroprevalences among veterinari ans, veterinary technicians, hospital staff, and others were essential ly identical. Small sample groups, high percentage of cat ownership am ong participants, unknown duration of seropositivity, and unknown prev alence of infection among cats were potential confounders.