Deadly Bacteria Linked to Mental Illness? Study Finds Shocking Connection
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that people with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders are three times more likely to carry Bartonella bacteria in their blood than those without these conditions.
What is Bartonella?
Bartonella is a group of sneaky bacteria spread mainly by fleas, lice, and ticks. Some animals can also pass it on. Most know Bartonella as the cause of cat scratch disease, but recent research hints it may be involved in more serious health issues—including mental illness.
The Study Breakdown
- Researchers tested blood from 116 people: healthy controls, those with early symptoms, diagnosed psychosis patients, and relatives of those with psychosis.
- The samples came from a Columbia University study on biomarkers in psychiatric illness.
- Using special DNA tests, they found Bartonella DNA in 43% of psychosis patients versus just 14% of healthy controls.
- They identified several Bartonella species present, including B. henselae and B. quintana.
What Could This Mean?
This isn’t the first time Bartonella has been found in psychiatric patients. A 2020 University of North Carolina study found the bacteria in 65% of schizophrenia patients but only 8% of healthy people.
“We’ve now demonstrated the presence of Bartonella species in the blood of two separate cohorts of patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms,” said Dr Edward Breitschwerdt, infectious disease expert at NC State. “These findings warrant additional research to determine whether Bartonella plays a role in mental illness.”
This discovery could shake up how we understand and treat mental health disorders. If Bartonella is confirmed to influence brain function, it could open doors to new treatments and better outcomes for millions.
