Bartonella and sudden adolescent schizophrenia

In a new case study, researchers at North Carolina State University describe a human adolescent patient diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia who was discovered Bartonella henselae infection. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that Bartonella the infection can mimic a host of chronic diseases, including mental illness, and could open new avenues for research on the bacterial or microbial causes of mental disorders.

Bartonella is a bacterium most commonly badociated with cat scratch disease, which until recently was considered a short-term (or spontaneously resolving) infection. There are at least 30 different known species of Bartonellaand 13 of them were found infected by humans. The ability to find and diagnose Bartonella Infection in animals and humans – it is known to "hide" in the wall of blood vessels – has led to its identification in patients suffering from many chronic diseases ranging from migraines to rheumatoid attacks that doctors did not have. never been before able to attribute to a specific cause.

In a case study published in the Journal of Central Nervous Disease, a teenager with sudden psychotic behavior – diagnosed as schizophrenic – was seen and treated by many specialists and therapists over a period of 18 months. All conventional treatments for psychosis and autoimmune disorders have failed. Finally, a doctor recognized lesions on the patient's skin often badociated with Bartonella, and the patient tested positive for the infection. The combination of antimicrobial chemotherapy has allowed complete recovery.

"This case is interesting for a number of reasons," says Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt, Emeritus Professor of Internal Medicine Melanie S. Steele and lead author of the case report. "Beyond suggesting that Bartonella The infection itself may contribute to progressive neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, raising the question of how often the infection may be badociated with psychiatric disorders in general.

"Researchers are beginning to look at the role of infection in Alzheimer's disease, for example." Beyond this case, efforts to understand the potential role of viral and bacterial infections in treatment of these complex diseases proof that there may be a link and offers the possibility of future investigations. "

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North Carolina State University