Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41742048›Full record

ArticleBMC cardiovascular disorders2026

Bartonella quintana endocarditis presenting with severe coombs-positive anemia: a case report.

Yanjun Zhang, Pingcuo Wangjia, Suo Yang, Panjing Liu, Xinliang Xu, Hui Han

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cardiovascular disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yanjun Zhang *Department of cardiovascular medicine, People's Hospital of Shigatse City, Shigatse, Tibet, China.
Pingcuo Wangjia *Department of cardiovascular medicine, People's Hospital of Shigatse City, Shigatse, Tibet, China.
Suo YangDepartment of cardiovascular medicine, People's Hospital of Shigatse City, Shigatse, Tibet, China.
Panjing LiuDepartment of cardiovascular medicine, People's Hospital of Shigatse City, Shigatse, Tibet, China.
Xinliang XuDepartment of ultrasound, People's Hospital of Shigatse City, Shigatse, Tibet, China.
Hui HanDepartment of cardiovascular medicine, People's Hospital of Shigatse City, Shigatse, Tibet, China. hanhui2000@qq.com.

Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Tibet Autonomous Region XZ202501ZR0145Natural Science Foundation of Tibet Autonomous Region XZZR202402030(W)Natural Science Foundation of Tibet Autonomous Region XZZR202402105(W)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBartonella quintana is a recognized cause of blood culture-negative endocarditis, often associated with predisposing social factors or pre-existing valvulopathy. Diagnosis is challenging and relies on advanced microbiological techniques. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-year-old Tibetan herdsman from a high-altitude region presented with a two-week history of fever, dyspnea, and lower limb edema. He had no history of homelessness or alcoholism but lived in poor sanitary conditions. Laboratory investigations revealed severe Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia and serological markers suggestive of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Transthoracic echocardiography showed vegetations on both aortic (bicuspid) and mitral valves with severe regurgitation and rapid hemodynamic progression. All blood cultures were negative. Metagenomics Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) of peripheral blood identified B. quintana as the causative pathogen. Antibiotic therapy was adjusted to doxycycline (9 weeks) and gentamicin (3 weeks). Concurrently, immunomodulatory therapy with methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin was administered for the hemolytic anemia. Given the severe valvular insufficiency, the patient successfully underwent urgent aortic and mitral valve replacement. His clinical condition improved significantly post-operatively.

conclusionThis case highlights the diagnostic utility of mNGS in confirming B. quintana endocarditis in a culture-negative scenario, especially when clinical presentation is complicated by concomitant autoimmune features mimicking Libman-Sacks endocarditis. A treatment strategy combining targeted antibiotics for the infection and immunomodulation for the hematologic complication, followed by definitive surgery, led to a successful outcome. It underscores that B. quintana infection should be considered in patients from disadvantaged backgrounds with endocarditis, even in the absence of classic risk factors.

Indexed as

Anemia, HemolyticBartonella quintanaEndocarditis, BacterialTrench FeverAdolescentAnti-Bacterial AgentsAortic Valve InsufficiencyCoombs TestEchocardiographyHeart Valve Prosthesis ImplantationHigh-Throughput Nucleotide SequencingHumansImmunoglobulins, IntravenousImmunologic FactorsLupus Erythematosus, SystemicMaleAnti-Bacterial AgentsImmunoglobulins, IntravenousImmunologic FactorsBartonella quintanaBartonellosisBlood culture-negative endocarditisCase reportCoombs-positive hemolytic anemiaNext generation sequencing

Identifiers

PMID41742048
PMCPMC13040828

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