Microbiological Diagnosis of Sepsis: Polymerase Chain Reaction System Versus Blood Cultures

Abstract

Objective To compare the utility of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction system (SeptiFast) and blood cultures for detecting bacteria and fungi in blood samples from patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Methods In a prospective observational study, whole blood samples for SeptiFast testing and for culture were collected on admission from all patients with severe sepsis or septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit between July 2011 and September 2012. SeptiFast results were compared with blood and other culture results. Results The probability of at least 1 microorganism being isolated at 6 hours was 13-fold higher with the SeptiFast test than with blood cultures (relative risk, 13.5; 95% CI, 5.05-36.06). Unlike culture results, SeptiFast test results were not associated with previous antibiotic consumption. The median time to the first positive blood culture result was 17 hours; SeptiFast results were available in 6 hours. SeptiFast detected genetic material from potentially multiresistant microorganisms in patients whose blood cultures showed no growth at all. Conclusions The SeptiFast test provided quicker microbiological diagnosis and identified significantly more microorganisms than blood cultures did, particularly when samples were collected after antibiotic therapy had started or infections were due to resistant bacteria and yeast.

SeptiFast versus blood culture in clinical routine – A report on 3 years experience

“…In this respect our data are in line with studies [22, 38] that demonstrated a higher rate of positivity of SF for the treated group with the difference, however, not reaching statistical significance. A significant difference has been reported in other studies [42–44]. …”

Interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist as a biomarker of sepsis in neutropenic haematological patients

“…34 To detect bacteraemia, culture methods are needed, but they are time-consuming and often give false-negative results or the results may only indicate microbial contamination. 35 As in most previous studies, in the present study, PCT had a better diagnostic capacity than CRP to predict complicated course of febrile neutropenia. 29,36 Meidani et al 36 Sensitivity and specificity in ROC curve analysis for patients who developed sepsis was higher for PCT (92.5% and 97.3%, respectively).…”

Pathogen screening and prognostic factors in children with severe ARDS of pulmonary origin

“…Blood and/or TLF culture were performed to detect bacteria and fungi. To detect and differentiate up to 25 pathogenic microbial DNAs in blood samples, the LightCycler SeptiFast Test (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Manheim, Germany) was used …”