Bartonella henselae has a size of at least 2 micrometers in length by 0.6 micrometers in width that contains octadecenoic and hexadecanoic fatty acids. It has Type IV secretion systems that transport substrate molecules to the target cells to undergo phase variation and might be a pathogenic determinant.
Bartonella henselae has two mechanism of invasion into endothelial cells, first is the invasome-mediated uptake wherein bacterium draws out a massive rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton that causes aggregation and eventually engulfed by the host cell membranes then entering into the endothelial cells. Second mechanism is through adhesion with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) that drives the bacteria into the cells.
Bartonella henselae is implicated in neuroretinitis in cat-scratch disease, a self-limited infection that occurs in immunocompetent individuals who has been scratch or bitten by a cat manifested by ocular inflammation, swelling of lymph nodes, fever and visual function. It is known to be an agent of bacillary angiomatosis, septicemia, peliosis hepatitis, recurring fever and neurological disorders.
Former name: Rochalimaea henselae
Class: Alpha Proteobacteria
Species: Bartonella henselae