Infection withBartonella weissiiand Detection ofNanobacteriumAntigens in a North Carolina Beef Herd

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Abstract
Very recently,Bartonellaorganisms have been isolated from large ruminants (deer, elk, and dairy and beef cattle) located in the United States and in France. In this study, we report the serologic, microbiologic, and molecular findings related to the isolation of aBartonellaspecies in North Carolina beef cattle and the detection of nanobacterial antigen using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Between August 1998 and September 1999, blood was collected from 38 cattle ranging in age from 1 month to 6.5 years. After a 1-month incubation period, aBartonellasp. was isolated on a 5% rabbit blood agar plate from three of six EDTA blood samples. PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene from all three isolates resulted in a DNA sequence that was 100% identical to that ofB. weissii16S rRNA (GenBank no.AF199502). By IFA testing, 36 of 38 cattle had antibodies (≥1:64) toBartonella weissii(bovine origin) antigens. Nanobacterial antigen was detected in 22 of 22 serum samples. We conclude that infection with an organism similar or closely related toB. weissiican occur in North Carolina cattle and that although their actual existence is still controversialNanobacteriumantigens were detected with a commercially available test kit. The epidemiology, vector biology, and potential pathogenicity of these organisms in cattle deserve future consideration.