Marg,

Bartonella quintana(formerly known as Rochalimaea quintana)is a
gram-negative bacterium. During WWI it was first identified as the cause of
louse-bourne epidemic trench fever in Europe. Until recently this bartonella
species has not been isolated from humans in the U.S. In classic cases of
trench fever, B. quintana is tranmitted by lice amoung persons in close
contact with each other under poor sanitary conditions. Only recently has it
been shown that the domestic cat could serve as a reservoir for B. hensalae
and B. quintana through infestation from Sarcoptes scabiei and subsequent
transmission to HIV+ and the alcoholic homeless.*

The fastidious organism Bartonella(Rochalimaea)quintana can be demonstrated
with a Steiner microwave method (preferably wih a Uranyl nirate sensitizer
and a known positive control), immunofluorescence and DNA-hybridizaton(RFLP
and PCR).

*N Engl J Med 1995:332:424-428.


Eric Kellar
Histology/Immunohistochemistry
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center



-----Original Message-----
From: Hagerty, Marjorie A.
To: 'Histonet'
Sent: 2/16/99 6:51 PM
Subject: Cat Scratch

I need help!

A doctor from another facility would like us to do a stain for an
organism - Rochmaleia Quintana. I believe it is some form of cat
scratch. I would imagine Warthin Starry is the best way to go but would
it be OK to do a microwave Steiner instead? Anyone know or know of an
alternative to the W.S.?

Thanks!
Marg
Marjorie Hagerty, H.T. (ASCP) H.T.L., Q IHC
Supervisor, Anatomic Pathology
Eisenhower Medical Center
39000 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, California 92270
760.773.2013
FAX:760.773.1587
mhagerty@emc.org