Blood Supplementation Enhances Bartonella henselae Growth and Molecular Detection of Bacterial DNA in Liquid Culture

Abstract

This study aims to improve diagnostic detection of Bartonella henselae . Patient samples are combined with enriched bacterial cultures aimed at growing Bartonella henselae for the best possible chance at detection. However, current Bartonella growth methods could be improved. The DNA extraction method used by most laboratories should also be optimized. Sheep blood was added to increase the growth of Bartonella henselae and multiple DNA extraction methods were to be compared to each other.