Ordering Guidance

If this test result is negative and there is a strong suspicion of disease caused by these organisms, consider BART / Bartonella Antibody Panel, IgG and IgM, Serum and Warthin-Starry tissue stain (PATHC / Pathology Consultation) testing.

Necessary Information

Specimen source is required.

Specimen Required

The high sensitivity of amplification by polymerase chain reaction requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by Bartonella species DNA is unlikely.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Fresh tissue or biopsy

Sources: Heart valve, liver, lymph node, spleen, or skin tissue papule/lesion/nodule

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire collection or 5 mm(3) - approximately the size of a pencil eraser

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect fresh tissue specimen.

2. Submit tissue only, do not add fluid to tissue.

3. Refrigerate or freeze specimen.

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred) <7 days/ Frozen <7 days

Preferred Paraffin-embedded tissue block:

Specimen Type: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block (FFPE)

Sources: Heart valve, liver, lymph node, spleen, or skin tissue papule/lesion/nodule

Supplies: Tissue Block Container (T553)

Container/Tube: Tissue block

Collection Instructions: Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block to be cut and returned.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated

Acceptable: Paraffin-embedded tissue block:

Specimen Type: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block (FFPE)

Sources: Heart valve, liver, lymph node, spleen, or skin tissue papule/lesion/nodule

Container/Tube: Sterile container for each individual cut section (scroll).

Collection Instructions: Perform microtomy and prepare five separate 10-micron sections. Each section (scroll) must be placed in a separate sterile container for submission.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated

Specimen Type: Fluid

Sources: Cerebrospinal or ocular (eg, vitreous humor fluid)

Container/Tube: Sterile vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred) <7 days/Frozen <7 days

Collection Instructions: For CSF, submit specimen from collection vial 2.

Specimen Type: Synovial fluid

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: Pink top (EDTA), royal blue top (EDTA), sterile vial containing EDTA-derived aliquot, red clot tube (no anticoagulant), or sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Send specimen in original tube (preferred).

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred) <7 days /Frozen <7 days