Bartonella quintana, which causes trench fever, is transmitted by which vector?

Bartonella quintana, which causes trench fever, is transmitted by which vector?

• A. Flea
• B. Tick
• C. Mosquito
• D. Lice

Answer: (D)

Lice are the vector for Bartonella quintana. The bacteria colonize the human body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis) and are transmitted to people when the lice feed or when louse feces enter broken skin, typically via scratching. This explains the historical link to trench fever in crowded, unhygienic conditions. Other arthropods listed do not carry B. quintana—fleas are linked to other Bartonella species such as B. henselae, while ticks and mosquitoes transmit different pathogens—so the human body louse is the correct vector.

Lice are the vector for Bartonella quintana. The bacteria colonize the human body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis) and are transmitted to people when the lice feed or when louse feces enter broken skin, typically via scratching. This explains the historical link to trench fever in crowded, unhygienic conditions. Other arthropods listed do not carry B. quintana—fleas are linked to other Bartonella species such as B. henselae, while ticks and mosquitoes transmit different pathogens—so the human body louse is the correct vector.