Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Associated Press; Wednesday, December 24, 1997 14:00:00
The bacteria are the same ones responsible for cat scratch fever and trench fever. In those whose immune systems are wrecked by HIV, these microbes can cause serious skin sores and life-threatening complications. While curable with common antibiotics, the disease often goes undiagnosed.
A study in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine examined 49 people with this condition, known as bacillary angiomatosis, and found that their problems were caused by two related microbes.
One, called Bartonella henselae, ordinarily causes cat scratch fever, an infection that afflicts more than 40,000 people in the United States each year.
The other is Bartonella quintana, the microbe that sickened more than 1 million soldiers with trench fever during World War I, killing many. Trench fever had not been seen in the United States until several cases were discovered among the homeless in Seattle five years ago.
In their study, Dr. Jane E. Koehler and others from University of California at San Francisco found that 26 of their patients were infected with B. henselae and 23 with B. quintana.
Those who got B. henselae often had exposure to cats, while those who got B. quintana were more likely to be homeless.
B. henselae spreads from cat to cat by fleas and then to people through cat scratches. B. quintana lives in human body lice.
971224
AP971220
Copyright © 1997 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1997. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .