Bartonella and Babesia may impact neurological illnesses

Researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered the presence of pathogens in a child's brain tissue. The study focused on Bartonella henselae and two species of Babesia, found in a young child who had seizures and was suspected of having Rasmussen's encephalitis. Bartonella is a group of bacteria typically spread by fleas, lice, and ticks. Out of the 45 known species, 18 can infect humans. The most familiar is Bartonella henselae, which causes cat scratch disease. Babesia, on the other hand, is a protozoa that infects red blood cells and is mainly transmitted by ticks. The child in the study had scratches from a feral cat at age two and developed seizures two years later after an insect bite. In 2022, a team tested blood and brain biopsy samples from the child. They first found no Bartonella DNA in the blood but detected it in brain tissue samples along with Babesia. Edward Breitschwerdt, a professor at NC State, highlighted that the brain can be difficult for infections to reach due to its protective barriers. However, changes in the child's brain appeared linked to the earlier cat scratches. Breitschwerdt also noted a gap in knowledge regarding the effect of Babesia infections on neurological health. This research suggests these pathogens might contribute to complex neurological conditions. Breitschwerdt emphasizes the need for further investigation into chronic infections and their potential effects on the brain. The findings are published in the Journal of Central Nervous System Disease.