Abstract: Bartonella is a gram-negative bacillus that is parasitic on the erythrocyte of vertebrate and can cause bartonellosis. With the development of traffic and the exploitation of native environment, human have more opportunities to contact with rodents, which might result in the wide spread of bartonellosis and pose threats to human health. This paper summarizes the progress in research of biological characteristics, host animals, vectors and epidemic situation of Bartonella.