Core Concepts
Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders are more likely to have Bartonella bacteria DNA in their blood compared to healthy individuals, suggesting a potential link between Bartonella infection and the development of psychotic symptoms.
Abstract
This study investigates the potential association between Bartonella spp. infection and the development of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. The researchers analyzed blood samples from 116 individuals, including 29 healthy controls, 16 individuals with prodromal symptoms, 7 children/adolescents with psychosis, 44 adults with psychosis, and 20 close relatives of those with psychosis.
The key findings are:
- A significantly higher proportion of adults with psychosis had Bartonella spp. DNA in their bloodstream compared to healthy adult controls (43% vs. 14%, p=0.021).
- DNA sequencing identified various Bartonella species, including B. henselae, B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, B. quintana, B. alsatica, and B. rochalimae.
- There was no significant difference in Bartonella-specific antibodies between the psychosis and control groups, suggesting that exposure to Bartonella is common in the general population.
- The study does not establish whether the presence of Bartonella bacteremia is a cause, cofactor, or contributor to the progression of psychotic disorders.
The researchers suggest that if future studies support an association between Bartonella infection and psychosis, Bartonella-targeted antimicrobial therapy trials could be initiated to determine if treatment improves or resolves psychotic symptoms. However, more research is needed to confirm the potential causal relationship between Bartonella infection and the development of psychotic disorders.
Stats
43% of adults with psychosis had Bartonella spp. DNA in their bloodstream, compared to 14% of healthy adult controls.
65% of patients with schizophrenia had Bartonella spp. DNA in a previous study, compared to 8% of healthy controls.
Quotes
"Bartonella may be one of several pathogens that can induce neuroinflammation and neuropsychiatric symptoms."
"In contrast to the historical literature, particularly as related to cat scratch fever, which has been considered an immunologically self-limiting illness, it is now clinically important to recognize that bartonelloses can induce a chronic, stealth bacteremia in healthy individuals and in patients with neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms."