Experimental infection of horses with Bartonella henselae and Bartonella bovis.
Abstract: Experimental infection of horses with Bartonella species is not documented. Objective: Determine clinical signs, hematologic changes, duration of bacteremia, and pattern of seroconversion in Bartonella henselae or Bartonella bovis-inoculated horses. Methods: Twelve (2 groups of 6) randomly selected healthy adult horses seronegative and culture negative for Bartonella spp. Methods: Experimental/observational study: Group I: B. henselae or saline control was inoculated intradermally into 4 naïve and 2 sentinel horses, respectively. Group II: same design was followed by means of B. bovis. Daily physical examinations, once weekly CBC, immunofluorescent antibody assay serology, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and twice weekly blood cultures were performed for 6 weeks and at postinoculation day 80 and 139. Bartonella alpha-Proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) enrichment blood culture was performed for horses that seroconverted to B. henselae antigens. Results: Transient clinical signs consistent with bartonellosis occurred in some Bartonella-inoculated horses, but hematological alterations did not occur. Three B. henselae-inoculated horses seroconverted, whereas 1 B. bovis-inoculated horse was weakly seropositive. In Group I, B. henselae was amplified and sequenced from BAPGM blood culture as well as a subculture isolate from 1 horse, blood from a 2nd horse, and BAPGM blood culture from a 3rd horse although a subculture isolate was not obtained. All sentinels remained PCR, culture, and serology negative. Conclusions: Detection of Bartonella sp. in blood after experimental inoculation supports bacteremia and seroconversion. Culture with BAPGM may be required to detect Bartonella sp. Although mild clinical signs followed acute infection, no long-term effects were noted for 2 years postinoculation.
Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2012-02-22 PubMed ID: 22356473DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00890.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research experimentally infected horses with Bartonella henselae and Bartonella bovis to gain understanding of clinical signs, changes in blood, duration of bacteremia, and the seroconversion pattern. The study concluded that such infection in horses led to detection of Bartonella species in blood, supporting bacteremia and seroconversion; however, no long-term effects were noted.
Research Objective
- The research aimed to determine the effect of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella bovis infections in horses, focusing on the clinical signs, hematologic changes, duration of bacteremia, and pattern of seroconversion.
Methodology
- Twelve healthy adult horses were divided into two groups of six. All were seronegative and culture negative for Bartonella spp.
- In group I, four horses were inoculated intradermally with B. henselae, and two were given saline as a control.
- In group II, the same method was followed with B. bovis.
- Criteria examined included daily physical examinations, once weekly CBC, immunofluorescent antibody assay serology, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and twice weekly blood cultures for six weeks and at postinoculation day 80 and 139.
- The Bartonella alpha-Proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) enrichment blood culture was performed on horses that seroconverted to B. henselae antigens.
Results
- The results showed transient clinical signs that were consistent with bartonellosis in some Bartonella-inoculated horses. No hematologic alterations were noted.
- Three B. henselae-inoculated horses seroconverted, while one B. bovis-inoculated horse was weakly seropositive.
- In group I, B. henselae was amplified and sequenced from BAPGM blood culture as well as a subculture isolate from one horse, blood from a 2nd horse, and BAPGM blood culture from a 3rd horse.
- All control (sentinel) animals remained PCR, culture, and serology negative.
Conclusion
- The experiment concluded with the detection of Bartonella sp. in blood after experimental inoculation, providing support for bacteremia and seroconversion.
- It was noted that to detect Bartonella sp., culture with BAPGM may be required.
- Although mild clinical signs were observed following acute infection, no long-term effects were noted for up to 2 years post-inoculation.
Cite This Article
APA
Palmero J, Pusterla N, Cherry NA, Kasten RW, Mapes S, Boulouis HJ, Breitschwerdt EB, Chomel BB.
(2012).
Experimental infection of horses with Bartonella henselae and Bartonella bovis.
J Vet Intern Med, 26(2), 377-383.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00890.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. jpalmerovet@gmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
- Bacteremia / immunology
- Bacteremia / microbiology
- Bacteremia / veterinary
- Bartonella / genetics
- Bartonella / immunology
- Bartonella Infections / immunology
- Bartonella Infections / microbiology
- Bartonella Infections / veterinary
- DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial / genetics
- Female
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Male
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Zoonoses / microbiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Huang K, Kelly PJ, Zhang J, Yang Y, Liu W, Kalalah A, Wang C. Molecular Detection of Bartonella spp. in China and St. Kitts. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 2019;2019:3209013.
- Cheslock MA, Embers ME. Human Bartonellosis: An Underappreciated Public Health Problem?. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019 Apr 19;4(2).
- Setlakwe EL, Sweeney R, Engiles JB, Johnson AL. Identification of Bartonella henselae in the liver of a thoroughbred foal with severe suppurative cholangiohepatitis. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Jul-Aug;28(4):1341-5.
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