Pyogranulomatous myocarditis and diaphragmatic myositis associated with Bartonella henselae in a cat from Turkey

Abstract

A case of pyogranulomatous myocarditis and diaphragmatic myositis caused by Bartonella henselae in an 18
months old tricolor female cat in Turkey was reported in this study. The cat had flea infestation before clinical disease onset. The cat
showed clinical findings including lethargy, anorexia, dyspnea, hypersalivation, and polydipsia. At necropsy, the myocardium
contained numerous 1 to 2 mm, discrete to coalescing, white-grey nodular foci with approximately 250 ml of serosanguineous fluid in
the thorax. By Warthin-Starry silver staining, argyrophilic pleomorphic coccobacilli were seen within the myocardial and
diaphragmatic pyogranulomatous lesions. B. henselae DNA was detected in heart, kidney and liver tissues by targeting the riboflavin
synthase C (ribC) gene by PCR. Using immunofluorescence technique, B. henselae was also visualized in myocardial tissues. This
report provides additional evidence in support of an etiological association between pyogranulomatous myocarditis and diaphragmatic
myositis and B. henselae infection in cats.  

Keywords

• Bartonella henselae,cat,diaphragmatic myositis,myocarditis

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