A comparison of methods for extracting DNA from Coxiella burnetii as measured by a duplex qPCR assay

Aims: To determine the optimal DNA extraction method for the detection of Coxiella burnetii including the small-cell variant (SCV) by real-time PCR (qPCR) in clinical samples. Methods and Results: A duplex qPCR detecting two Coxiella burnetii gene targets (com1 and IS1111a genes) was developed. Each target in this PCR had a sensitivity of one copy number per reaction. DNA extraction methods were compared on spiked negative samples and included a silica column kit, a chloroform separation prior to a silica column method and a chloroform/phenol separation and DNA precipitation method. Conclusions: The silica column extraction method was more efficient at recovering C. burnetii DNA, from large-cell and small-cell variants, than a chloroform or chloroform/phenol method. The silica column method was useful on spiked human samples including serum, buffy coat and bone marrow samples. Significance and impact of study: This study demonstrated that a simple column kit method is efficient to use for the detection of C. burnetii in clinical samples including the SCV.