title: 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.
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.
authors.affiliation: Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Pultorak
authors.forename: Ricardo G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: Patricia E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Mascarelli
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Breitschwerdt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D001473:Bartonella / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media