Bartonella henselae, B-quintana, and B bacilliformis: historical pathogensof emerging significance

Bartonella species were virtually unrecognized as modern pathogens of human s until the last decade. However, identification of Bartonella species as t he agents of cat-scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, urban trench frye r, and possible novel presentations of Carrion's disease has left little do ubt of the emerging medical importance of this genus of organisms. The thre e primary human pathogenic bartonellae, Bartonella bacilliformis (Carrion's disease), B. henselae (cat-scratch disease), and B. quintana (trench fever ), present noteworthy comparisons in the epidemiology, natural history, pat hology, and host-microbe interaction that this review will briefly explore. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.