Excerpt:

The pathogen best known for causing cat scratch disease is responsible for a host of serious illnesses in humans that may be misdiagnosed due to lack of awareness in the medical community.

Researchers studying the Bartonella genus of bacteria say veterinarians and veterinary staff, along with others who work with animals — including groomers, trainers and shelter and rescue organization personnel — are at particular risk of infection owing to their frequent exposure to animals and animal parasites such as fleas.

“I think it’s more common than we think in the veterinary community,” said Dr. Bruno Chomel, a DVM and professor in the Center for Vectorborne Diseases at the University of California, Davis.

The scope and significance of Bartonella infection among humans in veterinary circles and at large is just beginning to be understood.