A Cross Sectional Seroprevalence Study of Bartonella Quintana and Bartonella Henselae Among Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) in Iran Publisher



Latifian M ; Hasannezhad M ; Abbasian L ; Tahmasebi Ashtiani Z ; Arabian M ; Bagheri Amiri F ; Esmaeili S
Source: New Microbes and New Infections Published:2026

Abstract

Background Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana are among the most clinically relevant Bartonella species infecting humans. While B. henselae is a zoonotic pathogen maintained in animal reservoirs, B. quintana is considered a human-restricted bacterium transmitted via the human body louse. Both species can cause a wide range of manifestations, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with HIV/AIDS. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of IgG and IgM seropositivity to these two species and to identify determinants of seropositivity. Methods This cross-sectional study included 200 participants, comprising 97 HIV-positive patients, 53 patients with AIDS, and 50 healthy individuals as the control group. IgG antibodies against B. henselae and B. quintana were measured in all participants using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). In addition, IgM antibodies were assessed in a randomly selected subset of 48 participants. Results The overall seroprevalence of B. henselae and B. quintana IgG was 24.0% and 22.0%, respectively, while IgM seropositivity was 18.8% and 22.9%. No significant differences were observed in B. quintana IgG prevalence among control, HIV, and AIDS groups. Individuals with a history of drug abuse had a more than threefold increased likelihood of IgG positivity. For B. henselae , IgG prevalence was higher in the control and AIDS groups compared to HIV-positive individuals, though not statistically significant. Conclusion The significant prevalence of IgG antibodies against both Bartonella species and the presence of IgM antibodies in the selected study group, especially in HIV patients, demonstrate the clinical importance of these pathogens in at-risk populations. These findings emphasize the need for clinical vigilance in symptomatic immunocompromised patients. © 2026 The Authors.