With the onset of AIDS, B. henselae has taken on much greater significance as a pathogen of humans. Bartonella henselae infection is now known to cause, in addition to CSD:

• "bacillary angiomatosis" - a lobular proliferation of blood vessels and inflammatory cell infiltrates in the skin
  • These lesions may resemble Kaposi sarcoma lesions.
• "peliosis hepatis" - a disease in which blood-filled cystic lesions develop in the liver (and sometimes the spleen), associated with hepatosplenomegaly, abdominal pain and nausea
• granulomatous hepatitis and splenitis
• endocarditis
• osteomyelitis
• prolonged bacteremia and persistent fevers

In addition, there is some suggestion that there may be a relationship between B. henselae infection and neuropsychological decline or dementia in AIDS patients, but evidence is mounting against this theory.

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