The performance of multiple locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) in typing Bartonella henselae was compared with those of pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and multispacer typing (MST) using common isolates and strains that had been previously tested by at least one of these techniques. The profile numbers obtained for the same series of isolates for each technique were evaluated and the global diversity index (DI) was calculated. The results showed that the profile numbers, numbers of unique profiles and DIs were almost systematically higher for MLVA for the same series of isolates. It is concluded that MLVA is a simple, cost-effective technique for typing B. henselae, with the highest discriminatory power in terms of profile numbers and DIs.