Short report: Rapid detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei in blood cultures using a monoclonal antibody-based immunofluorescent assay

Narisara Chantratita, Sarunporn Tandhavanant, Gumphol Wongsuvan, Vanaporn Wuthiekanun, Nittaya Teerawattanasook, Nicholas P.J. Day, Direk Limmathurotsakul, Sharon J. Peacock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Melioidosis is a severe bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Rapid antimicrobial therapy is necessary to improve patient outcome, which is aided by direct detection of B. pseudomallei in clinical samples. A drawback for all antigen assays is that the number of B. pseudomallei in blood usually falls below the achievable level of detection. We performed a prospective cohort study of 461 patients with 541 blood cultures to evaluate the utility of a pre-incubation step prior to detection of B. pseudomallei using a monoclonal antibody-based immunofluorescent assay (Mab-IFA). TheMab-IFA was positive in 74 of 76 patients with melioidosis (sensitivity = 97.4%), and negative in 385 patients who did not have blood cultures containing B. pseudomallei (specificity = 100%). The Mab-IFA could be a valuable supplementary tool for rapid detection. We recommend the use of the Mab-IFA to test blood cultures that flag positive in regions where melioidosis is endemic.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)971-972
Number of pages2
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume89
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2013

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