Seropositivity of Bartonella henselae in Risky Human Population, Cats and Dogs

Objective: Bartonella species cause several diseases in humans such as cat scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, peliosis hepatis, endocarditis, Carrion disease and trench fever. There have been cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis cases reports in Turkey. The aim of this study is to determine the seropositivity against Bartonella henselae in cat/dog owners who are in the risk group, cats and dogs in Western Aegean region, Turkey. Materials and Methods: In this study, B. henselae immunoglobulin (Ig) G positivity was investigated in a total of 281 samples including a total of 131 people, 34 of whom are pet cat/dog owners and 97 of whom are stray cat/dog owners; as well as a total of 105 cats, of which 57 pet cats, 48 shelter cats, and 45 pet dogs. Sera tested for the presence of antibodies against B. henselae IgG using immunofluorescence assay with two commercial kits. Results: B. henselae seropositivity of pet owners was significantly higher than the stray cat/dog owners (26.5% vs 6.8%). B. henselae IgG was found positive in 36.2% of total cats, 22.8% of pet cats, 52.1% of shelter cats. B. henselae seropositivity was found statistically higher in shelter cats than pet cats. No positivity was detected in the samples taken from the dogs. Conclusion: It is concluded that being pet owner at home poses a risk for B. henselae. For the differential diagnosis, especially in patients in close contact with cats, B. henselae infection should be considered.