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WHAT IS BARTONELLA?

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Bartonella is a genus of bacteria that can infect humans and cause a variety of diseases, collectively known as bartonellosis. These bacteria are transmitted through insect vectors, including fleas, lice, sandflies, and ticks. While Bartonella is best known for causing cat scratch disease (CSD), evidence suggests that certain species of Bartonella may also be tick-borne and co-infect individuals with Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Bartonella infections can cause chronic symptoms affecting multiple organ systems, including the nervous system, cardiovascular system, skin, and joints. Because it is an intracellular bacterium (meaning it hides inside cells), Bartonella is difficult to detect and treat, making accurate testing essential.

How is Bartonella Transmitted?

Bartonella bacteria can be transmitted in several ways, including:

Tick Bites – Although not fully confirmed as a primary transmission route, some studies suggest Bartonella species may be spread by Ixodes (black-legged) ticks, which also transmit Lyme disease.
Flea Bites – The most well-known transmission route, especially in cat scratch disease (Bartonella henselae).
Lice and Sandflies – Some Bartonella species are transmitted by human body lice (Bartonella quintana, which causes trench fever) and sandflies.
Animal Scratches or Bites – Cats, particularly kittens, can harbor Bartonella henselae in their claws and transmit it through scratches or bites.
Blood Transfusions – Because Bartonella can infect red blood cells, there is a potential risk of transmission through contaminated blood products.

Given its potential link to tick-borne disease, many experts consider Bartonella a significant co-infection in patients with chronic Lyme disease.

Symptoms of Bartonella Infection

Bartonella infections can present in many different ways, depending on the species involved and the patient’s immune response. Symptoms may be acute or chronic, and some people remain asymptomatic.

Common Symptoms of Bartonella Infection:

Fever and chills
Fatigue and weakness
Muscle and joint pain (often migratory)
Neurological symptoms (tingling, burning sensations, headaches)
Mood changes (anxiety, depression, irritability)
Cognitive issues ("brain fog," memory problems, difficulty concentrating)
Swollen lymph nodes (especially in cat scratch disease)
Skin rashes or streak-like lesions
Eye infections (optic neuritis, conjunctivitis)
Heart issues (endocarditis, heart palpitations, chest pain)

Bartonella infections can mimic other chronic illnesses, including Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune disorders. The neurological and psychiatric effects of Bartonella are particularly concerning, as some patients experience severe anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and even hallucinations.

Learn more about Bartonella and tick-borne disease testing

How is Bartonella Diagnosed?

Bartonella is a stealth pathogen, meaning it can evade the immune system and hide inside cells, making detection challenging. Traditional blood tests may not always pick up an active infection.

Because Bartonella symptoms overlap with Lyme disease and other co-infections, comprehensive co-infection testing is recommended.

Treatment for Bartonella

Bartonella bacteria are intracellular, meaning they hide inside cells, making them harder to eradicate than other bacteria. Standard Lyme disease antibiotics like doxycycline are often not sufficient to eliminate Bartonella.

Common Bartonella Treatment Protocols:

Rifampin + Azithromycin or Doxycycline – A common combination for targeting intracellular bacteria.
Clarithromycin + Hydroxychloroquine – Sometimes used for Bartonella with neurological symptoms.
Levofloxacin or Moxifloxacin – Used in some persistent cases.
Herbal Therapies – Some patients find benefits in antimicrobial herbal protocols, such as Japanese knotweed, houttuynia, and cryptolepis, though these should be used under medical supervision.

Treatment duration varies depending on the severity of the infection, but chronic cases may require months of therapy to fully eradicate the bacteria.

Bartonella and Lyme Disease Co-Infection

Bartonella is frequently found alongside Lyme disease, making co-infection testing crucial. When both infections are present, symptoms can be more severe and more difficult to treat. Patients with both Lyme disease and Bartonella may experience:

Increased neurological symptoms (brain fog, headaches, nerve pain)
Psychiatric issues (anxiety, depression, panic attacks)
Longer treatment duration and higher likelihood of relapse

Because standard Lyme disease treatments do not fully target Bartonella, dual treatment strategies are often necessary.

Check out AcuDart Health’s co-infection testing panels

Preventing Bartonella Infection

Since Bartonella can be transmitted by ticks, fleas, lice, and animal bites, prevention strategies include:

Tick Prevention – Use tick repellents, wear protective clothing, and perform tick checks after outdoor activities.
Flea Control – Keep pets flea-free with veterinary-approved flea treatments.
Avoid Scratches & Bites from Cats – Wash any wounds immediately if scratched or bitten.
Avoid Lice Exposure – Be cautious in crowded settings where lice infestations can spread.

Since Bartonella is challenging to diagnose and treat, early detection and prevention are key.

Key Takeaways

Bartonella is a bacterial infection spread by ticks, fleas, lice, and animal scratches.
It can cause chronic neurological, cardiovascular, and psychiatric symptoms.
Diagnosis requires specialized testing.
Treatment involves antibiotics that target intracellular bacteria, often requiring long-term therapy.
Bartonella co-infection with Lyme disease can make symptoms more severe and difficult to treat.
Prevention includes tick and flea control, as well as avoiding exposure to infected animals.

For comprehensive Bartonella and tick-borne disease testing, visit AcuDart Health. If you suspect a Bartonella infection, consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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AcuDart Tick-Borne Disease Screening Test Panel

$499.00

$596.00

Tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF), Babesiosis, and Bartonellosis share overlapping symptoms, making diagnosis difficult without comprehensive testing. Because these infections can mimic each other, relying on a single test for one disease may lead to missed or delayed diagnoses. That’s why AcuDart offers the most accurate and reliable tick-borne disease testing available.

Unlike standard tests from commercial labs like LabCorp or Quest, which typically screen for just one or two species per disease, the AcuDart Tick-Borne Disease Test Panel is designed for maximum accuracy and coverage. It detects 19 species across four major tick-borne diseases, making it the most comprehensive tick panel on the market. Whether you're experiencing persistent symptoms or have been exposed to ticks, AcuDart's tick-borne disease panel provides the most thorough and precise testing to help you get the right diagnosis and treatment faster.

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