The History of Bartonella Infections of the Eye

● RESULTS: A number of novel Bartonella species have been identified over the past decade. Of these, Bartonella henselae, the etiologic agent in cat scratch disease, is most often associated with ocular complications, which may include Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, neuroretinitis, and focal retinochoroiditis. Although cat and flea exposure appear to be the main risk factors for contracting cat scratch disease, the diagnosis of ocular bartonellosis relies primarily on the recognition of suggestive clinical signs in conjunction with positive serologic testing. B. henselae–associated ocular complications are usually self-limited but may be treated with doxycycline or erythromycin, with or without rifampin, when the infections are severe or sight-threatening.