Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Rapid and accurate identification of pathogens causing blood infections plays a pivotal role in the early diagnosis and management of infections. Digital PCR (dPCR) is a new nucleic acid amplification technology exhibiting high sensitivity for the rapid detection and absolute quantification of multiple pathogens in the blood. Methods: Herein, we conducted a retrospective study involving 149 patients with suspected infections and compared the differences between dPCR assay and blood culture in pathogen detection. Results: Blood culture showed six positive specimens and six pathogenic strains, whereas dPCR assay showed 42 positive specimens and 63 pathogenic strains. The concentrations of positive pathogens detected via dPCR varied from 25.5 to 439,900 copies/mL. Discussion: Our study demonstrated that dPCR assay has higher sensitivity, shorter detection time, and wider detection range than blood culture in blood pathogen detection, indicating its capability to support anti-infective therapy for patients.
Source: Frontiers in Medicine
Authors: Min Zhao, Yan Yang, Lifeng Yao, Huiming Chen, Mengqing Zhang, Yaozhen Guo, Sichao Zhang, Rong Huang, Fengrong Cai, Ling Zhang
Institution: Xiamen University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Biochemistry
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4414618943