Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41814426›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2026

Investigation of neglected bacterial pathogens provides molecular and serological evidence of Bartonella spp. in patients with acute undifferentiated febrile illness in Villeta, Colombia.

Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos, J Manuel Matiz-González, Nicole L Mendell, C Alexander Barrero-Rubiano, Álvaro A Faccini-Martínez, Claudia Cuervo, Peter C Melby, Patricia V Aguilar, Miguel M Cabada, David H Walker and 1 more

Abstract read
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Article in Parasites & vectors, 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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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Carlos Ramiro Silva-RamosGrupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. cramiro-silva@javeriana.edu.co.
J Manuel Matiz-GonzálezMolecular Genetics and Antimicrobial Resistance Unit, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.
Nicole L MendellDepartment of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
C Alexander Barrero-RubianoGrupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
Álvaro A Faccini-MartínezServicio de Infectología, Hospital Militar Central, Bogotá, Colombia.
Claudia CuervoGrupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
Peter C MelbyDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Patricia V AguilarDepartment of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Miguel M CabadaDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
David H WalkerDepartment of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Marylin HidalgoGrupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. hidalgo.m@javeriana.edu.co.

Funding

Research Training Program on the Impact of Zoonotic and Vector-borne Viruses, Rickettsiae, and Leptospira in Acute Undifferentiated Febrile IllnessesD43TW010331 · FIC · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MED BR GALVESTON · PI AGUILAR, PATRICIA VERONICA, RODAS, JUAN DAVID · 2016 to 2025
$2.6M
FIC NIH HHS D43 TW010331FIC NIH HHS D43TW010331Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación 111584467514Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Fortalecimiento de los programas de doctorado apoyos financieros para estudiantes de programas de doctorado convocatoria -2021
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAcute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) is a challenging clinical condition in tropical regions, caused by a broad range of pathogens. In Villeta municipality, Colombia, data on neglected bacterial causes remain scarce, highlighting the need to expand understanding of the local etiological spectrum. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the presence of the neglected pathogens, Bartonella, Borrelia, and Coxiella burnetii, as potential causes of AUFI in Villeta.

methodsDNA was extracted from whole-blood samples from febrile patients. Quality and purity were assessed spectrophotometrically and by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Bartonella, Borrelia, and C. burnetii were detected using genus- and species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays. Bartonella-positive samples were further analyzed by multigene PCRs and sequencing for species identification. Anti-Bartonella and anti-C. burnetii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence to assess recent or past exposure to these agents.

resultsA total of 41 febrile patients were evaluated. Bartonella DNA was detected in 9.8% (4/41) of samples. No Borrelia or C burnetii DNA was detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two distinct clades, although none could be assigned to species level. Serological analysis showed anti-Bartonella IgG antibodies in 29.3% (12/41) of cases, with 9.8% (4/41) exhibiting seroconversion. One patient presented both molecular and seroconversion evidence of recent Bartonella infection. None of the patients were seropositive for C. burnetii.

conclusionsThis study provides the first molecular and serological evidence of Bartonella circulation among febrile patients in Villeta, Colombia, revealing genetically distinct lineages and indicating both active and past infections, underscoring its potential role in AUFI.

Indexed as

BartonellaBartonella InfectionsFeverAdolescentAdultAgedAntibodies, BacterialBorreliaColombiaCoxiella burnetiiDNA, BacterialFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPolymerase Chain ReactionAntibodies, BacterialDNA, BacterialBartonellaColombiaFebrile patientsMolecular detectionNeglected pathogensPhylogenySerology

Identifiers

PMID41814426
PMCPMC13094191

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.