The research of bartonella henselae and bartonella quintana seroprevalance and risk factors in Aydin

Aim ve hypotesis: Bartonella henselae, B. quintana microorganisms cause important public health problems. The seroprevalance of Bartonella henselae, B. quintana in Aydın is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalance, epidemiologic characteristics in adults, carriege set and risk factors of Bartonella henselae, B. quintana in Aydın.Method: This study was conducted between April 2009-March 2011 in Laboratory of Department of Medical Microbiology, Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine. The blood samples taken over 344 heathy individuals 18-90 years old from central and district health centers of Aydın. All sera were examined using both the Bartonella henselae IgG and Bartonella quintana IgG ındirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test kits according to the manufacturer?s instructions. And the seropositive serum samples examined for the Bartonella species by PCR.Result: Titers of 1/64, 1/128, 1/256 and 1/512 for IgG antibodies to Bartonella henselae were found 6,1%, 2,6%, 2,6% and 0% of the subjects examined, respectively. This titers for IgG antibodies to Bartonella quintana were found in 2,0%, 0,3%, 0,3% and 0% of the subjects, examined. There was no positivity in PCR.There was statistically significant differences in titers to B.henselae in females, ages 20 and younger group, close contact with cats-dogs, pet owners, story of scracthing by cats and going to urban areas (<0.05). And there was statistically significant differences in titers to B.quintana in close contact with cats-dogs, pet owners, story of scracthing by cats and going to urban areas (<0.05).Conclusion: Just because of the Bartonella seropozitivity in Aydın, especially in childs and young age groups infections caused by Bartonella species should be considered and in the differantial diagnosis should be considered in similar infections.Keywords: Bartonella henselae, Bartonella quintana, seroprevalance, IFA, PCR