Bartonella henselaeandBartonella elizabethaeas Potential Canine Pathogens

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Abstract
Bartonella henselaeorBartonella elizabethaeDNA from EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples obtained from four dogs was amplified and sequenced. The results showed thatB. elizabethaeshould be added to the list ofBartonellaspecies (i.e.,B. vinsoniisubsp.berkhoffii,B. henselae, andB. clarridgeiae) that are currently recognized as infectious agents in dogs. Furthermore, these results may have potential zoonotic implications, particularly if dogs can serve as a previously unrecognized reservoir forB. henselae. Although the clinical relevance of these observations remains to be determined, it is possible that molecular diagnostic techniques such as PCR may help to implicate a spectrum ofBartonellaspp. as a cause of or a cofactor in chronic canine and human diseases of poorly defined causation.