Bartonellosis
Pathogen
Bartonella-bakteerit (B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae)
Vector
Fleas (especially Ctenocephalides felis felis in cats, also C. canis), and possibly other blood-sucking arthropods
Geographical distribution
Fleas carrying Bartonella are found worldwide. In Finland, fleas found on cats are usually those of wild animals (e.g., birds, squirrels) and do not cause symptoms in cats. Elsewhere in Europe, cat fleas are also common.
Transmission
Bartonella bacteria are red blood cell-dwelling bacteria. The bacteria are transmitted to cats primarily through contact with fleas. Bartonella is especially prevalent in cats under 2 years old, outdoor cats, and in multi-cat households. Fleas lay eggs on the skin of cats and dogs, from which the eggs spread into the environment. Bartonella bacteria are found in flea feces, which end up on the skin and fur of cats and dogs as fleas feed on their host's blood.
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Bartonella bacteria can spread to humans through cat bites or scratches (cat scratch disease). Fleas on dogs can also carry Bartonella bacteria, but this is less common.
Symptoms
Bartonellosis rarely causes severe illness in cats. Symptoms usually occur in cats with weakened immune systems and can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, gingivitis, uveitis (inflammation of the eye's uveal tract), and inflammation of the heart valves. In dogs, Bartonella has been associated with heart valve disease and myocarditis as well as hepatitis.
Prevention
Regular flea-repelling and flea-killing treatments are essential in areas where fleas are prevalent. In Finland, continuous treatment is not necessary, but abroad, especially in regions with stray cats and dogs, ongoing treatment is required.
Lähteet:
ESCCAP 2019 (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites). Guideline 05 Control of Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs and Cats, Fourth Edition.