Bartonella: Creates Complications with Lyme Disease
“Bartonella is a destructive blood infection, commonly referred to as ‘Cat Scratch Fever.’ Currently testing exists for two species, however, there are now over 30 known unique species with over 200 variants.”₁ Bartonella can have major implications on the patient and creates further complications with Lyme Disease.
“Bartonella bacteria are known to be carried by fleas, body lice and ticks. Scientists suspect that ticks are a source of infection in some human cases of bartonellosis. People with tick bites and no known exposure to cats have acquired the disease. People who recall being bitten by ticks have been co-infected with Lyme and Bartonella. More research needs to be done to establish the role of ticks in spreading the disease.”₂
It is said that Bartonella magnifies the symptoms of Lyme as other tick-borne disease such as Babesia, which requires treatment specifically designed according to each individual’s needs. “Dr. Joseph Burrascano distinguishes the Bartonella associated with Lyme disease as ‘Bartonella-Like Organism’ (BLO) rather than the more common species due to the wide variety of symptoms and difficulty in treatment.”₁
The symptoms for Bartonella usually associated with Lyme or BLO may possibly include some or a combination of any of the following:
(This list is a combination of Burrascano’s, CALDA’s and Jenna’s Lyme Blog.)
| red papules | eye disorders | insomnia |
| swollen lymph nodes | sore feet in a.m. | abdominal bruising |
| poor appetite | gastritis | rashes |
| fever | hearing sensitivity | lumps on skin |
| streaked or unusual rash | severe pain in tibia | encephalitis |
| chills | agitation | lower abdominal pain |
| dizziness | profound fatigue | psychiatric abnormalities(mild-severe) |
| headaches | sore throat | anxiety |
| swollen glands | muscle aches |
“Typically, a co-infection is suspected when treatment for Lyme disease fails.”₁
As with Lyme Disease testing, Bartonella is very hard to detect (more difficult) and it is recommended to use a PCR test to diagnose. It is also “critically important to find a Lyme-literate doctor who can distinguish the clinical symptoms and tailor antibiotic treatment accordingly.”₁
“Also, Lyme co-infections can be more severe and more life-threatening than Lyme.”₁ It can lead to heart complications, strokes, and completely disable.
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₁Bartonella Further Complicates Lyme Disease, Jenna’s Lyme Blog, September 11th, 2008 http://www.lymediseaseresource.com/wordpress/bartonella-further-complicates-lyme-disease/
₂Bartonella Introduction, California Lyme Disease Association, http://www.lymedisease.org/lyme101/coinfections/bartonella.html
Advanced Topics In Lyme Disease Diagnostic Hints And Treatment Guidelines For Lyme And Other Tick Borne Illnesses. Fifteenth Edition, September, 2005, Joseph J. Burrascano Jr., M.D. http://www.ilads.org/files/burrascano_0905.pdf