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Methods for detecting Gemmata spp. bacteremia in the microbiology laboratory
Jacques-Robert Christen1,2, Edwin Edmond1, Michel Drancourt3
1URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Aix Marseille Université, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.
BMC Research Notes
|January 10, 2018
Summary
Detecting Gemmata bacteria in blood is challenging. New laboratory methods, including specific culture and quantitative PCR, show promise for identifying Gemmata bacteremia, which may be under-documented.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Human Microbiome Research
Background:
- Gemmata bacteria (Gemmata obscuriglobus, Gemmata massiliana) are Gram-negative, aerobic bacteria.
- These Planctomycetes are found in the human digestive tract and water.
- Detection of Gemmata in patients with febrile neutropenia suggests Gemmata bacteremia may be under-recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop effective laboratory protocols for detecting Gemmata species (spp.) bacteremia.
- To evaluate different methods for identifying Gemmata in blood samples.
Main Methods:
- Development and comparison of three detection methods: automated microbial detection, culture on solid medium (Caulobacter agar), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- Testing using mock-infected and control blood specimens.
Main Results:
- Automated blood culture systems failed to detect Gemmata spp.
- Culturing detected Gemmata obscuriglobus at ≥10^2 bacteria/mL and Gemmata massiliana at ≥10^4 bacteria/mL.
- Quantitative real-time PCR detected 10^2 Gemmata bacteria/mL.
Conclusions:
- Standard automated blood cultures are insufficient for Gemmata bacteremia detection.
- Specific culture and quantitative PCR methods are effective for identifying Gemmata spp. in blood.
- These protocols can aid in investigating the epidemiology of Gemmata bacteremia.
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