(pē-lē-ō'sĭs )

bacillary p.A complication of an infection due to Bartonella henselae and B. quintana, esp. in immunocompromised patients. The infection causes vascular lesions in the visceral organs, esp. the liver and spleen.

p. hepatis Multiple cystic, blood-filled spaces in the liver associated with dilatation of the sinusoids. These cause enlargement of and pain in the liver. These lesions are associated with use of oral contraceptives, certain types of anabolic steroids, and infections with Bartonella organisms. If the condition is due to infection, treatment consists of parenteral doxycycline for several weeks followed by several months of oral therapy.

SEE: bacillary angiomatosis; cat scratch disease.