A retrospective study of the detection of sepsis pathogens comparing blood culture and culture-independent digital PCR
Zhijun Zhao,
Yixuan Wang,
Yuting Kang,
Geng Wu,
Jing He,
Zhanying Wang,
Ju Yang,
Yaqi Wang,
Xiaojun Yang,
Wei Jia
Affiliations
Zhijun Zhao
Medical Laboratory Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical Pathogenic Microorganisms, Yinchuan, China
Yixuan Wang
School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical Pathogenic Microorganisms, Yinchuan, China
Yuting Kang
Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical Pathogenic Microorganisms, Yinchuan, China
Geng Wu
School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
Jing He
Department of Research and Development, Rainsure Scientific Co. Ltd., Suzhou, China
Zhanying Wang
Department of Research and Development, Rainsure Scientific Co. Ltd., Suzhou, China
Ju Yang
Department of Research and Development, Rainsure Scientific Co. Ltd., Suzhou, China
Yaqi Wang
Department of Research and Development, Rainsure Scientific Co. Ltd., Suzhou, China
Xiaojun Yang
Department of Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
Wei Jia
Medical Laboratory Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical Pathogenic Microorganisms, Yinchuan, China; Corresponding author. Medical Laboratory Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.
Fast and precise identification of microorganisms in the early diagnosis of sepsis is crucial for enhancing patient outcomes. Digital PCR (dPCR) is a highly sensitive approach for absolute quantification that can be utilized as a culture-independent molecular technique for diagnosing sepsis pathogens. We performed a retrospective investigation on 69 ICU patients suspected of sepsis. Our findings showed that a multiplex dPCR diagnostic kit outperformed blood culture in detecting the 15 most frequent bacteria that cause sepsis. Ninety-two bacterial strains were identified using dPCR at concentrations varying from 34 copies/mL to 105,800 copies/mL. The detection rate of dPCR was much greater than that of BC, with 27.53% (19/69) versus 73.91% (51/69). The sensitivity of dPCR was 63.2%. Our research indicated that dPCR outperforms blood culture in the early detection of sepsis-causing microorganisms. The diagnostic kit can detect a greater variety of pathogens with quantitative data, including polymicrobial infections, and has a quicker processing time. DPCR is a valuable technique that could aid in the proper management of sepsis.
