Serial testing from a 3-day collection period by use of the Bartonella Alphaproteobacteria growth medium platform may enhance the sensitivity of Bartonella species detection in bacteremic human patients

J Clin Microbiol. 2013 Jun;51(6):1673-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00123-13. Epub 2013 Mar 13.

Abstract

Patients with infection from bacteremic Bartonella spp., tested using Bartonella Alphaproteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM), were retrospectively categorized into one of two groups that included those whose blood was collected once (group 1; n = 55) or three times (group 2; n = 36) within a 1-week period. Overall, 19 patients (20.8%) were PCR positive for one or more Bartonella spp. using the BAPGM platform. Seven patients (12.7%) in group 1 tested positive, and 12 patients (33.3%) in group 2 tested positive. Detection was improved when the patients were tested three times within a 1-week period (odds ratio, 3.4 [95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 9.8]; P = 0.02). Obtaining three sequential blood samples during a 1-week period should be considered a diagnostic approach when bartonellosis is suspected.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Algorithms
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis*
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Bartonella / growth & development
  • Bartonella / isolation & purification*
  • Bartonella Infections / diagnosis*
  • Blood / microbiology*
  • Culture Media / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Specimen Handling / methods
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Culture Media