Indirect ELISA of Bartonella bacilliformis total lysate for quick diagnosis of Carrión disease

Abstract

Was developed and standardized an indirect ELISA test with the total lysate of Bartonella bacilliformis from an ATCC strain and a clinical isolation. We selected 86 sera from patients with confirmed diagnosis of Carrion disease by smear and culture, 51 sera of negative patients for non-endemic areas and 32 sera from patients with confirmed serological diagnosis for other bacterial diseases such as brucellosis, leptospirosis, syphilis and Rickettsiosis. We found a sensitivity of 68.6% (95%CI: 58.2-79.0%), specificity of 94.1% (86.7-100%), positive predictive value of 95.2% (89.0 -100%) and negative predictive value of 64.0% (54.3-71.2%), with a cross-reaction with other bacterial aetiologies of 78.1% (25/32). This is not a recommended test to be used as a diagnostic tool for Carrion disease, is continuing studies toward finding a quick test with greater sensitivity.