A rapid, highly sensitive and culture-free detection of pathogens from whole blood by removal of white blood cells using immuno-magnetic beads

Abstract Using anti-human CD45 antibody coated beads, we show a 98% reduction of WBCs from spiked blood samples in 1 h, thereby enriching it for pathogens. This enrichment allowed the detection of Escherichia coli in 1 mL blood using quantitative PCR; something not observed in unenriched samples.