Bartonella: A stealth pathogen that's waiting to strike
Bartonella species, their animal hosts, and potential vectors are being identified at a snowballing rate. Learn the risk this poses to you and your patients.
Cutting-edge research taking place at human medical and veterinary facilities is debunking traditional beliefs about the stealth pathogen Bartonella and its related diseases. A few of the most alarming findings: Bartonella bacteria can cause illness in people and dogs, 26 new strains of Bartonella have been identified in the last 20 years, bartonellosis is not a self-limiting disease, and it affects both immunocompromised and immunocompetent people.
Veterinarians and veterinary team members are among the most at-risk populations for bartonellosis. Unfortunately, diagnosis of the condition eludes many physicians, who often mistakenly identify symptoms as Lyme disease. To help, veterinarians and physicians are working together to protect people and pets from this debilitating chronic disease. The articles listed below delve into their progress and serve as a warning for veterinary professionals who likely need increased knowledge about a disease that lurks underneath many of their work-day duties.
Bartonella: Quantifying new risks to veterinarians, patients
Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt, a leading
Bartonella
expert, wants veterinarians and team members to sit up and take notice of the real health threat
Bartonella
poses to people who frequently handle sick animals. (
DVM Newsmagazine
)
8 vectors and hosts of Bartonella bacteria
With this interactive graphic, you'll learn more about the animals and organisms that house and pass on this complex bacteria. (
Firstline
)
Bartonellosis: Scratching the surface
The human medical field knows little about bartonellosis, but one physician is trying to make inroads. (
DVM Newsmagazine
)
This veterinarian's medical odyssey tested the boundaries of human medicine. (
DVM Newsmagazine
)
Could your job destroy your life?
A young mother, athlete, and veterinary practice manager suffered extreme fatigue and muscle pain for three years before she discovered her affliction with bartonellosis. Read her story and learn about warning signs of the disease-as well as how to prevent it from happening to you. (
Firstline
)
Photo gallery: chronicling the health threat of bartonellosis to veterinarians, team members
Dr. Wendy Walker and Tracy Vargas have a long road ahead as they battle a chronic disease that seems to elude physicians and specialists. Here's their story in photos. (
DVM Newsmagazine
)
