Bartonella DNA detection by PCR

General Information

Lab Name

Lab Code

BRTDNA

Epic Ordering

Bartonella DNA detection by PCR

Description

Detection and differentiation of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana DNA.

Species of the genus Bartonella are currently recognized in growing numbers and are involved in an increasing variety of human diseases, mainly trench fever, Carrion's disease, bacillary angiomatosis, endocarditis, cat scratch dease, neuroretinities, and asymptomatic bacteremia.

Amplification-based techniques enable detection and identification of the bacteria to be performed directly from clinical specimens.

Partial ITS amplification and sequencing offers a sensitive means of intraspecies differentiation. Each Bartonella possesses a single, species-specific ITS.

ribC is highly conserved at the species level. Primer oligonucleotides designed on the basis of localized differences with the ribC DNA region are used in species-specific assays for the differentiation of B. henselae and B. quintana, the two most commonly isolated Bartonella species. The PCR assay increases the diagnostic potential to detect and differentiate Bartonella species.

For more information on this test, to download a requisition form, and for a list of acceptable and unacceptable specimens, please refer to: Molecular Diagnosis Microbiology Section Website

Synonyms

16S PCR, 16S sequencing, Bartonella 16S, Bartonella henselae, Bartonella identification, Bartonella PCR, Bartonella quintana, Bartonella ribC, Bartonella sequencing, Cat Scratch, molecular Bartonella, ribC PCR, ribC sequencing, Trench Fever, universal PCR

Components

Code	Name
BR16RS	Bartonella PCR: Detection, 16S rDNA
BR16ID	Bartonella PCR: Identification, 16S rDNA
BRRCRS	Bartonella PCR: Detection, ribC
BRRCID	Bartonella PCR: Identification, ribC
BRTSI	Bartonella PCR: Specimen Description
BRTSPI	Bartonella PCR: External Identifier
BRTSR	Bartonella PCR: Special Requests
BRTSC	Bartonella PCR: Specimen Comments
BRTNAE	Bartonella PCR: Specimen DNA Extraction
BRTREV	Bartonella PCR: Pathologist Review
BRTME	Bartonella PCR: Method Note

Interpretation

Method

DNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing

Reference Range

See individual components

Guidelines

Specialty testing for Molecular Microbiology

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedded), Fluid (see Acceptable Specimens for details)

Collection

Acceptable specimens are listed below. Please see this page for complete specimen collection and handling instructions.

Specimens should be collected into a DNA free container labeled with at least two identifiers.

Acceptable Specimens

Fresh frozen tissue
Fresh frozen fluid: any body fluid is acceptable if it is not listed under Unacceptable Specimens. See common examples below.
Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE, PET): blocks, scrolls, and unstained slides are acceptable
eSwabs and UTM (universal transport media)

Common acceptable body fluid examples: cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, urine, bronchial lavage, joint fluid, bone marrow, vitreous fluid, etc.

Additional Acceptable Specimens

Sputum

Unacceptable Specimens

Blood, serum, plasma, stool
No citrated or heparinized solutions
No SPS (Sodium Polyanethole Sulfonate) e.g. Wampole Isolator Tubes
Tissues floating in formalin
Swab/fluid collected in tube containing agar

Handling Instructions

Fresh frozen tissue/fluid specimens should be submitted and maintained on dry ice.

Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE, PET) can be sent ambient or with ice packs during warmer summer months to prevent melting.

Optimal Quantity:

Fresh Tissue: 0.3-1.0 cm^3
Fluid: 0.2-1 mL
Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue (FFPE/PET): blocks are preferred and will be sent back to client upon completion of testing
Scrolls/unstained slides: cross-sectional area >1cm^2 send 10 sections of 10µm thickness, if <1cm^2 send 20 sections if available

Please note: We do not need a separate specimen aliquot for each test ordered. Only a single specimen aliquot or block of optimal quantity is necessary for performing multiple tests. If multiple aliquots or blocks of optimal quantity are sent, up to 2 will be pooled.

Quantity

requested: See Optimal Quantity above
minimum: Specimens below optimal quantity are acceptable for testing, however, diagnostic yield is generally proportional to specimen size.

Processing

Processing: UWMC/HMC – store and send specimen refrigerated and freeze specimens at -20°C upon arrival in UW-ML Microbiology. If specimen storage and transport will exceed 8 hours, freeze at -20°C.

Freeze specimens at -20°C upon arrival

Outside Laboratories: Freeze specimens in sterile containers at -20°C. Transport all specimens on dry ice.

Performance

LIS Dept Code

Micro Molecular Diag (MMD)

Performing Location(s)

UW-MT	Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics 206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room # NW177, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195

Frequency

Fresh frozen tissues/fluids result in 2-3 business days after receipt of specimen. Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues result in 3-4 business days after receipt of specimen.

Available STAT?

Billing & Coding

CPT codes: 87471
LOINC: 48864-3
Interfaced Order Code: UOW4360