Episode 2: The Mind-Blowing Truth About Bartonella Most Doctors Don’t Know With Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt

About This Episode

Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt discusses his interest in Bartonella research and the challenges associated with studying this bacteria. He explains the discovery of Bartonella and its unique aspects, including the various vectors and modes of transmission. The prevalence of Bartonella and the challenges in diagnosing the infection are also discussed. Dr. Breitschwerdt highlights the difficulties in testing and diagnosing chronic Bartonella infections and the use of digital PCR for more accurate detection. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the pathophysiology of chronic Bartonella infection. The conversation explores the challenges in accurately diagnosing Bartonella infections and the differences in results from different labs. It highlights the importance of using the correct isolates of the organism for testing and the prevalence of different strains. ThKe discussion also touches on the phenomenon of patients stopping the production of antibodies to Bartonella and the interplay between acute and chronic infections. The conversation emphasizes the need for better diagnostic tests and the development of a vaccine to protect animals and humans from Bartonella infections.

Takeaways

• Bartonella is a complex bacteria with various vectors and modes of transmission.
• Diagnosing Bartonella infection, especially chronic cases, can be challenging.
• Digital PCR is a promising tool for more accurate detection of Bartonella.
• Chronic Bartonella infection can lead to a range of symptoms and recrudescence. Different labs may use different isolates of Bartonella, leading to different results in testing.
• Patients may stop producing antibodies to Bartonella, making serology testing less reliable.
• Exposure to Bartonella species is common, and many individuals may be asymptomatic carriers.
• Bartonella infections may contribute to a spectrum of neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases.
• The development of a diagnostic test and a vaccine for Bartonella are important goals for future research.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
00:42 Interest in Bartonella Research
05:38 Challenges and Unique Aspects of Bartonella
08:37 Transmission of Bartonella
11:11 Vectors and Transmission to Humans
14:58 Prevalence of Bartonella and Challenges in Diagnosis
29:35 Chronic Bartonella Infection and Recrudescence
32:20 Pathophysiology of Chronic Bartonella Infection
36:06 Diagnostic Challenges and Digital PCR
41:13 Challenges in Accurate Diagnosis
42:02 Different Results from Different Labs
42:16 Different Isolates of the Organism
43:42 Prevalence of Bartonella Henselae Strains
44:41 Patients Stop Making Antibodies
45:56 Interplay Between Acute and Chronic Infections
46:45 Serofast State in Bartonella Henselae
47:21 Exposure to Bartonella Species
48:19 Testing Blood Donors for Bartonella
49:47 Role of Bartonella in Neurologic Diseases
52:43 Symptoms of Bartonella Infection
54:03 Understanding Bartonella on a Cellular Basis
57:34 Developing a Diagnostic Test for Bartonella
01:00:09 Vaccine Target for Bartonella
01:11:44 Protecting the Human-Animal Bond
01:18:03 Future Goals: Diagnostic Test and Vaccine