Bartonella is a pathogenic bacteria transmitted by ticks, fleas, lice, and possibly spiders to humans and other animals (like your pets!) (1). When pets contract it from fleas and ticks, they can transmit it to their owners through scratches or bites, making it even more important to ensure you use natural preventative methods on your pets, as well as eat a species specific diet to keep their immune system strong. 

Cats are the main carrier of Bartonella, thus coining the commonly known condition “cat scratch fever.” Over 12,000 people per year are diagnosed with cat scratch fever (2).  Bartonella is more common in kittens under 1 year old, and more likely to affect children under 15 year of age, according to the CDC. It is also the cause of Trench Fever that the European soldiers experienced during WWI because of lice. In modern times, Bartonella occurs often in areas of poor sanitation and high homeless populations. It is the second most common co-infection associated with Lyme Disease, as one study showed 28% of 1,500 chronic Lyme patients with co-infections had Bartonella (3).

Symptoms of Bartonella:

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Poor appetite

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Rash

The most noticeable symptom is what appears to be stretch marks, but is actually a striated, streaky rash caused by Bartonellosis.  This rash usually occurs on the lower back and/or kidney area. Although they resemble stretch marks associated with rapid weight gain, this rash is not the same. 

Some long term symptoms include:

• Neurological issues

• Skin lesions (bacillary angiomatosis)

• Inflammatory conditions like endocarditis (heart inflammation)

• Neuroretinitis (eyes)

• Peliosis hepatis (liver)

• Encephalopathy (brain) (1)

• Chronic disease like "fibromyalgia"

• Thyroid autoimmunity (4)

• Night sweats

• Sleep disturbances

• Anxiety and/or depression (5).

Bartonella goes through an intravascular (within the blood vessels) phase where it is able to hide in red blood cells and the cells that line blood vessels, causing inflammation, and thus, high blood pressure. Autoimmune conditions and nervous system issues are often caused by Bartonella (6). This autoimmunity is caused by the body trying to rid the Bartonella out of its own RBCs and endothelial cells, thus "attacking itself", and causing damage to the body's organ or structure in the process. 

Testing For Bartonella

Bartonella has also been recognized as a stealth pathogen along with Lyme Disease and Babesia, thus leaving testing generally unreliable. Laboratory testing methods for Bartonella include blood testing for antibodies as well as blood smears. Newer testing methods include using PCR testing to check for the presence of DNA related to Bartonella species. Igenex and Vibrant Wellness are my two most used sources for clinical Bartonella testing.

Once a diagnosis is obtained, conventional treatment consists of antibiotics, like doxycycline. Alternatively, a more holistic approach means strengthening the immune system by reducing the toxic load of heavy metals, yeast, chemicals, EMF exposure etc. Adaptogenic mushrooms are also helpful for strengthening the immune system, while the herbal tincture IS-Bart, which includes artemesia, cilantro, walnut hull, oregano, milk thistle, boneset can help to eradicate the Bartonella infection, fight inflammation, and bust the biofilms the bacteria are hiding in!

(1) https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/bartonellosis/

(2) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/10/16-0115_article

(3) https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/co-infections/about-co-infections/

(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23446023

(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2100128/

(6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4862072/