Comparison of three molecular methods for Bartonella spp. detection in blood donors from University of Campinas blood bank, SP

• Grant number: 13/14211-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2014
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Eduardo Neves Ferreira Velho
• Grantee: Paulo Eduardo Neves Ferreira Velho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Bartonella spp. are neglected zoonotic organisms capable of causing since asymptomatic bacteremia, chronic diseases and even death in humans. Among the most striking characteristics of these bacteria are fastidious growth, the need of media enriched with blood and atmosphere with 5% carbonic gas. This genus infects erythrocyte, endothelial cells, dendritic cells and macrophages often causing bacteremia in their hosts. There is a real risk that an asymptomatic blood donor could be infected with Bartonella spp.. In 2010, the first case of donated blood infected by Bartonella henselae was published. In another study, conducted in partnership with researchers at Johns Hopkins University (USA), 3.2% of blood donors from the Blood Bank of UNICAMP were PCR positive for Bartonella spp . Despite the efforts, Bartonella sp. diagnosis is still very difficult and time consuming. Aiming to develop and identify a sensitive and specific diagnosis blood samples from 500 donors from the Blood Bank of Campinas University will be analyzed. These samples were collected from November 2009 to January 2010, during blood donation procedure. Conventional PCR, nested PCR and Real-time PCR will be performed in DNA extracted from blood and from pre-enrichment culture. Comparing the results obtained will be possible to identify the most efficient method of diagnosis and use it to detect this infection, even subclinical. In future, it will be possible to use as a diagnostic or screening of blood or transplants donors. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DRUMMOND, MARINA ROVANI; DOS SANTOS, LUCIENE SILVA; DE ALMEIDA, AMANDA ROBERTA; LINS, KARINA DE ALMEIDA; BARJAS-CASTRO, MARIA LOURDES; DINIZ, PEDRO PAULO VISSOTTO DE PAIVA; VELHO, PAULO EDUARDO NEVES FERREIRA. Comparison of molecular methods for Bartonella henselae detection in blood donors. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, v. 17, n. 6, p. 18-pg., 2023-06-01. (13/14211-3)