Prevalence of Bartonella spp. Infection in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Background: The inherent characteristics of the sickle cell disease (SCD), the most common genetic hematological disorder, increase the propensity of infections. Bartonella spp. are emerging and neglected bacteria. A large spectrum of clinical manifestations has been linked to bartonella bloodstream infection in the last two decades that can cause fatal outcomes, especially in immunodeficient patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of bartonella infection in SCD patients. Materials and Methods: We evaluated Bartonella spp. prevalence in 107 SCD patients. Blood samples and enrichment blood cultures were analyzed by molecular detection of Bartonella spp. DNA. Bartonella DNA was amplified using conventional genus-specific Bartonella PCR which amplifies the Intergenic Transcribed Spacer region and Bartonella henselae- specific nested PCR which amplifies the FtsZ gene. Positive patient DNAs were tested with ssrA conventional PCR. All amplicons were sequenced. Findings: Ten of 107 patients tested positive for B. henselae infection in at least one molecular test. All obtained amplicons were sequenced and similar to B. henselae sequences deposited in GenBank (accession number BX897699). Based on statistical results, bloodstream infection with B. henselae was not associated with animal contact or blood transfusions. Conclusion: We detected B. henselae DNA in 10 (9.3%) SCD studied patients. These patients were notified and treatment was offered to them.