Study for the ACVPM Infectious Diseases Exam with engaging quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Prepare thoroughly and enhance your knowledge to excel in the test!

Multiple Choice

Aside from cats, how can Bartonella be transmitted to humans?

Bartonella is transmitted to humans mainly through arthropod vectors rather than by direct contact or environmental contamination. Cats can harbor Bartonella henselae, and infection in people often occurs when bacteria on flea feces are introduced into a skin break after a scratch or bite. Beyond cats, other Bartonella species are spread by vectors such as fleas, lice, and sandflies. So transmission via these arthropod vectors—fleas, ticks, and sandflies—fits the pattern best, while direct airborne spread, contaminated water, or simple person-to-person contact are not standard routes for these bacteria.

Bartonella is transmitted to humans mainly through arthropod vectors rather than by direct contact or environmental contamination. Cats can harbor Bartonella henselae, and infection in people often occurs when bacteria on flea feces are introduced into a skin break after a scratch or bite. Beyond cats, other Bartonella species are spread by vectors such as fleas, lice, and sandflies. So transmission via these arthropod vectors—fleas, ticks, and sandflies—fits the pattern best, while direct airborne spread, contaminated water, or simple person-to-person contact are not standard routes for these bacteria.