Deck 32: Bartonella and Afipia

Question 1

Bartonella spp.are usually detected by the examination of biopsy using which stain?

A) Gram stain
B) Wright stain
C) Trichrome stain
D) Warthin-Starry silver stain

Answer 1

D
The detection of the Bartonella spp.during histopathologic examination of tissue biopsies is enhanced using the Warthin-Starry silver stain or by the use of immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical techniques.

Question 2

Although molecular methods are available, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)for identifying the Bartonella species, limitations exist.One limitation to testing is the specificity of:

A) probes.
B) polymerases.
C) primers.
D) restriction enzymes.

Answer 2

C
PCR targeting the 16S-23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA)gene intergenic transcribed spacer region has been proposed as a reliable method for the detection of Bartonella deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)in clinical samples.However, a recent study revealed some potential limitations, based on insufficient primer specificity.

Question 3

Trench fever, bacteremia, endocarditis, chronic lymphadenopathy, and bacillary angiomatosis can be caused by:

A) Afipia felis.
B) Bartonella quintana.
C) B. clarridgeiae.
D) B. henselae.

Answer 3

B
All of the conditions listed have been attributed to infection with B.quintana.

Question 4

Of the clinically significant Bartonella species, which is transmitted via a fleabite with the reservoir being rats?

A) B. bacilliformis
B) B. henselae
C) B. elizabethae
D) B. clarridgeiae

Question 5

Bacteremia, endocarditis, bacillary angiomatosis, cat-scratch disease, and peliosis hepatis can all be caused by:

A) Afipia felis.
B) Bartonella quintana.
C) B. clarridgeiae.
D) B. henselae.