Study of genotypes and virB4 secretion gene of Bartonella henselae strains from patients with clinically defined cat scratch disease.

ABSTRACT: Bartonella henselae is the causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD), which usually presents as a self-limiting lymphadenopathy. Occasionally, the bacteria will spread and be responsible for tissue and visceral involvement. Two B. henselae genotypes (genotypes I and II) have been described to be responsible for uncomplicated CSD on the basis of 16S rRNA sequence analysis. A type IV secretion system (T4SS) similar to the virulence-associated VirB system of Agrobacterium tumefaciens was recently identified in the B. henselae Houston-1 genotype I strain. We studied the correlations of the B. henselae genotypes with the clinical presentations and with the presence of T4SS. Isolates originated from CSD patients whose lymph nodes were prospectively analyzed. B. henselae genotype I was identif

SUBMITTER: Woestyn S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC387542 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature