Bartonella spp. and Typhus Group Rickettsiae among Persons Experiencing Homelessness, São Paulo, Brazil

Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Feb;29(2):418-421. doi: 10.3201/eid2902.221050.

Abstract

Persons experiencing homelessness in São Paulo, Brazil, were seropositive for Bartonella spp. (79/109, 72.5%) and typhus group rickettsiae (40/109, 36.7%). Bartonella quintana DNA was detected in 17.1% (14/82) body louse pools and 0.9% (1/114) blood samples. Clinicians should consider vectorborne agents as potential causes of febrile syndromes in this population.

Keywords: Bartonella; Brazil; Rickettsia; São Paulo; bacteria; homelessness; parasites; vector-borne infections; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Bartonella* / genetics
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons*
  • Rickettsia* / genetics
  • Typhus, Epidemic Louse-Borne*