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Published on: February 22, 2019
Evaluation of specificity of BP3385 for Bordetella pertussis detection
Karen B Register1, Tracy L Nicholson, J L Guthrie
1Respiratory Diseases of Livestock Research Unit, USDA/ARS/National Animal Disease Center, P.O. Box 70, 1920 Dayton Road, Ames, IA 50010, USA. karen.register@ars.usda.gov
Abstract:
BP3385 has been proposed as a diagnostic PCR target for discriminating between Bordetella pertussis and other Bordetella species that also infect humans. Our results demonstrate that this gene is also present in some strains of Bordetella hinzii and Bordetella bronchiseptica.
Insights
The BP3385 gene, proposed for identifying Bordetella pertussis via PCR, is also found in Bordetella hinzii and Bordetella bronchiseptica. This finding impacts the specificity of diagnostic tests for whooping cough.
Area of Science:
- Bacteriology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Accurate identification of Bordetella pertussis is crucial for diagnosing whooping cough.
- The BP3385 gene has been suggested as a specific molecular target for PCR-based detection of B. pertussis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the specificity of the BP3385 gene as a diagnostic target for Bordetella pertussis.
- To determine if BP3385 is present in other Bordetella species that cause human infections.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays were used to screen various Bordetella species.
- The presence or absence of the BP3385 gene was analyzed in different Bordetella strains.
Main Results:
- The BP3385 gene was detected not only in Bordetella pertussis strains but also in some strains of Bordetella hinzii.
- BP3385 was also identified in Bordetella bronchiseptica strains.
Conclusions:
- The BP3385 gene is not exclusively present in Bordetella pertussis.
- The diagnostic utility of BP3385 for differentiating B. pertussis from other Bordetella species, such as B. hinzii and B. bronchiseptica, is limited.
