Bacillary peliosis is a form of peliosis hepatis that has been associated with bacteria in the genus Bartonella. It is characterized by numerous, small blood filled cysts that form in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, skin, bone, and brain. These blood filled cysts are infected with Bartonella. Based on very small sample epidemiologic studies, those with HIV infection are most likely to develop bacillary peliosis. In the small population based study, of 49 people with bacillary peliosis with Bartonella, 92% had HIV. Other cases of bacillary peliosis were seen in those with chronic infections, advanced cancer, tuberculosis, and those using anabolic steroids. Also based on limited population based studies, the species of Bartonella that is associated with bacillary peliosis hepatis is Bartonella henselae. In that small population based study, those with liver lesions exclusively had B. henselae. Barontella henselae may also affect the spleen and lymph nodes. Bartonella quintana is associated with lesions of the skin, soft tissues and destructive bone lesions. Both quintana and henselae species may cause skin lesions.