Bartonella quintana Endocarditis of the Aortic Valve: First case report in Turkey

doi:10.12996/gmj.2020.54

Abstract

Highlights

Bartonella species are gram-negative, facultative and intracellular bacteria
Due to the slow growth of Bartonella species, cultures are not routinely recommended for the diagnosis of Bartonella infections (1)
Molecular techniques have been used effectively for the identification of Bartonella species, and DNA sequence analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR amplification products of genus-specific gene regions such as gltA, ssrA, rib C, groEL have been used for molecular identification of Bartonella species (6)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Bartonella species are gram-negative, facultative and intracellular bacteria. They can cause bacteremia, endocarditis, trench fever, and bacillary angiomatosis (1). Culture, serological and molecular methods (PCR assays) are used in the diagnosis of diseases caused by Bartonella species (1). Serological tests for Coxiella burnetii, Brucella and Bartonella spp. were performed to evaluate the etiology of culture-negative endocarditis. IFA test result was positive for B. henselae IgG (1/1024 titer) and B. quintana IgG (1/1024 titer). Following this result, oral doxycycline and intravenous gentamicin treatment were started. Real-time PCR was performed using ssrA gene-specific primer and probe to determine Bartonella species (7). Using the DNA sequence analysis data and data from other Bartonella species at Genbank, the phylogenetic tree was created using the Maximum likelihood statistical method in MAGA 5.1 program and the B. quintana Bootstrap phylogeny value was determined to be highly reliable with 96% (Figure 1.). The patient was discharged in a full recovery on the 15th day after surgery, on the 42nd day of the treatment

DISCUSSION

Findings

CONCLUSION