Detection of bacterial DNA in blood samples from febrile patients: underestimated infection or emerging contamination?
We applied real-time broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect bacteraemia in blood from febrile patients. Interpretation of amplification results in relation to clinical data and blood culture outcome was complex, although the reproducibility of the PCR results was good. Sequencing analysis of the PCR products revealed the presence of Burkholderia species DNA while no Burkholderia species grew in culture. The source of this contamination was shown to be the commercial DNA isolation kit used in the automated MagNA Pure Isolation Robot. A high degree of suspicion is required when uncommon or unexpected pathogens are diagnosed by molecular methods as clinical consequences can be serious.
Peters
Remco P H
RP
Department of Internal Medicine, VU University Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Mohammadi
Tamimount
T
Vandenbroucke-Grauls
Christina M J E
CM
Danner
Sven A
SA
van Agtmael
Michiel A
MA
Savelkoul
Paul H M
PH
D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D019117:Burkholderia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005334:Fever / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic