Bartonella henselae as a cause of acute-onset febrile illness in cats

Breitschwerdt, Edward B; Broadhurst, Jack J; Cherry, Natalie A

On 23 August 2012, case 3 was lethargic and anorexic (aural temperature 37.7°C, body weight 1.38 kg). Physical examination was unremarkable. Neutropenia (930/μl [RI 2500-8500/μl]) was the only hematological abnormality. A serum biochemistry profile and urinalysis results were within the RIs. FeLV (National Veterinary Laboratory), FIV (National Veterinary Laboratory), T gondii, and feline coronavirus tests were negative. WB was positive and B henselae DNA was amplified (Galaxy Diagnostics) and sequenced (GENEWIZ) via BAPGM enrichment blood culture. Azithromycin suspension was administered (40 mg/cc, 10 mg/kg/day) for 21 days. Normal behavior and activities resumed within 5 h. WB titration (August 2012 and May 2013 serum) documented an eight-fold decrease in B henselae antibodies. Despite remaining clinically healthy, case 3 was bacteremic in August 2014, accompanied by a four-fold increase in B henselae WB antibodies, whereas a B henselae IFA titer (Galaxy Diagnostics) was <1:16.