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Bartonella is a type of bacteria that can infect humans as well as other mammals, including horses and donkeys.
The resulting infection, known as bartonellosis, has been documented in many regions throughout the world. Researchers are now learning that it may be a common misdiagnosed or undiagnosed problem in horses.
This bacterial infection can cause a wide range of symptoms and contribute to chronic health concerns. It can lead to inflammation and a worsening of other conditions, such as arthritis, respiratory problems and vascular issues.
An Italian study revealed that over half of the asymptomatic equines (77 horses and 15 donkeys) in their study group tested positive for Bartonella antibodies. This suggests widespread exposure to the bacteria, although not all infections produce symptoms.
The researchers from this study recommend that horses and donkeys with conditions such as vasculitis, arthropathy, hepatitis, lymphadenopathy and reproductive disorders be examined for bartonellosis. [11]
Bartonella Infection
The genus Bartonella is made up of at least 34 different species of bacteria. Among these species, 14 have been found to cause zoonotic disease (diseases that can be passed from animals to humans). [1]
In humans, the most commonly known form of Bartonella infection is cat scratch fever (caused by Bartonella henselae). As the name implies, this infection is transmitted when a cat carrying B. henselae scratches a person.
Infection usually starts with a rash followed by symptoms such as low-grade fever, headache, sore throat, and conjunctivitis. These symptoms are usually not life-threatening and often resolve without treatment.
Other common Bartonella infections in humans include trench fever, Carrion disease, and bacillary angiomatosis. [3] This bacteria can affect anyone, but clinical infections in humans are most commonly found in immunosuppressed patients with HIV-AIDS. [4]
The first cases of Bartonella infection in horses were reported in a 2008 study that examined two horses in North Carolina. The horses presented with different symptoms, but testing confirmed the presence of Bartonella. [2]
Though the contribution of Bartonella infection to the horses’ clinical features was unknown, the researchers believed equine Bartonella infection warranted more research. [2]
How Bartonella is Transmitted
It is believed that Bartonella bacteria are transmitted to horses by biting insects such as flies, mosquitoes, fleas, and possibly ticks. The incidence of infection is higher in warmer areas of the world that are more hospitable to these insects.
Bartonella can also be transmitted to horses through bites, wounds, or scratches contaminated by arthropod feces or possibly needle sticks. [2] Studies suggest that this bacteria may also be passed from mother to foal. [5]
New evidence also suggests that B. henselae may co-infect people and animals with other vector-borne diseases, including Borrelia burgdorferi, the most common pathogen associated with Lyme disease. [10]
Clinical Features
Bartonella bacteria are highly adaptive and are also unique because they affect the blood and lymphatic vessels in mammals.
Once Bartonella has been transmitted, the bacteria enter the bloodstream, circulate through the smallest blood vessels, and take up residence in the micro-capillaries within different tissues throughout the body. [6]
Researchers have found a link between B. henselae infection and inflammatory vascular disease. However, different symptoms can arise depending on the type of infecting Bartonella species and, likely, the state of the animal or person’s immune system.
If a horse has a preexisting condition such as arthritis, the bacteria will take advantage of the inflammatory process already underway and cause infection in the joints.
The weaker or more compromised an animal’s immune system is, the more likely it will develop a chronic condition of bartonellosis. [7]
Bartonella causes a cytokine cascade in the horse’s body. Cytokines are small molecules released by cells of the immune system. These molecules are important for communication between cells.
It is these cytokines that produce many of the symptoms a horse experiences when they are ill. [7]
Bartonella Symptoms in Horses
Horses and donkeys may not show signs of bartonellosis until the infection has spread to multiple parts of the body. It’s also possible that they will show no symptoms at all.
With that said, unexplained shortened stride length may be one of the first symptoms noticed with Bartonella infection. This is attributed to the large bundle of blood vessels that lie beneath the shoulder and in the groin area of the horse.
The list of other reported symptoms for equine bartonellosis is quite long and can range from mild to severe. These symptoms may include: [6]
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Sensitivity to grooming
- Reluctance to bear weight
- Back and body soreness
- Topline atrophy
- Sacroiliac problems
- Poor exercise tolerance
- Arthritis
- Cellulitis
- Urinary discomfort (standing in a “camped out” position)
- Respiratory problems
- Hypersensitivity (such as to flies)
- Sore soles
- Patchy sweating
- Dizziness
- Headshaking
- Stroke
- Aggression or explosive outbursts
- Seizures
- Depression
- Sarcoids
- Chronic hoof abscessing
- Chronic thrush
This infection can also contribute to gut issues including:
Chronic Health Problems
Many of these symptoms occur on a chronic basis. Horses being treated for chronic conditions may have an underlying Bartonella infection.
In one study, horses that tested positive for Bartonella infection had a history of chronic symptoms, combined with poor exercise tolerance and microcirculatory dysfunction that extended over a period of at least two years. [6]
Researchers believe that Bartonella may also aggravate existing conditions, especially in immunocompromised animals. [2]
For example, detection of B. henselae in horses has been associated with purpora hemorrhagica — the swelling of the blood vessels that usually occurs after strangles infection.
B. henselae has also been associated with arthropathy, a type of joint disease. [4]
In one case study, infection was identified in a three-month-old Thoroughbred colt with choloangiohepatitis, a severe liver condition. Once the attending veterinarians switched the colt’s antibiotic to a medication that targeted Bartonella bacteria, the colt’s condition began to improve. [8]
Another study examined tissues of an aborted equine fetus at approximately 240-270 days’ gestation. Researchers found vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) in multiple tissues as well as the presence of B. henselae.
This led the researchers to conclude that Bartonella infection can cause abortion in mares. [4]
Diagnosing Bartonella Infection
Unfortunately, Bartonella infection can be difficult to recognize and diagnose in horses. Unlike other bacteria, Bartonella are immune-evasive and can infect a horse at extremely low levels of detection. [12][13]
Because little is known about how this disease affects horses, many veterinarians may not consider it or know how to test for it. However, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serologic tests are available to test for past or present infection.
PCR tests are designed to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as viruses or bacteria, and can confirm pr