Isolation of bacteria and yeast from blood using antibody-conjugated magnetic beads

Abstract Aims Rapid detection of bloodstream infection pathogens is essential, as traditional blood cultures require 24–72 h, delaying treatment and reducing survival rates. This study aims to develop a simple, efficient strategy for rapidly isolating Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram negative), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), and Candida albicans (yeast) directly from blood while preserving whole-cell integrity for downstream applications such as fluorescence staining. Methods and Results The method employs antibody-conjugated magnetic beads (MBs) to capture pathogens directly from blood, enhancing detection sensitivity for low-abundance organisms. Pathogens are eluted as intact cells, enabling visualization via fluorescence staining. The approach successfully isolated P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and C. albicans, demonstrating robust performance and clinical potential. Conclusions Antibody-conjugated magnetic beads offer a rapid, sensitive, and efficient solution for pathogen isolation from blood, maintaining cell integrity for further analysis. This method improves detection and diagnosis of BSIs, supporting timely interventions and better patient outcomes.