Bartonella alsatica is a proteobacterium. Like other Bartonella species, it can cause disease in animals. It is small, aerobic, oxidase-negative, and Gram-negative. Its rod-like cells were localized within wild rabbit erythrocytes when first described. The type strain is IBS 382T (= CIP 105477T). It is associated with cases of lymphadenitis and endocarditis.