<i>Bartonella</i> spp. Infection in Healthy and Sick Horses and Foals from the Southeastern United States

Abstract

Horses in the southeastern United States are naturally infected with B. henselae, B. vinsonii subsp. berkhofii genotypes I and III, and a bacteria most similar to Candidatus Bartonella volans. Antibodies were not detectable by indirect fluorescent antibody assay (IFA) testing in bacteremic foals or horses, and prolonged enrichment culture for periods up to 21 days were necessary to document bacteremia in most horses. Further investigation into the pathogenic potential of Bartonella spp. infection in horses is warranted.