- dPCR detected pathogens in 28% of patients vs. 4% by culture.
- dPCR results came in 5 hours; culture took nearly 4 days.
- dPCR identified 63 strains across 13 species.
- 14 patients had polymicrobial infections, up to 5 organisms.
- dPCR-positive patients had higher inflammatory markers.
- Nearly half of dPCR-positive/culture-negative patients had prior antibiotics.
- “The sensitivity of dPCR is not affected by the application of antibiotics,” said Min Zhao, PhD, of Xiamen University.
- Limitations: single-center, retrospective study; small sample; panel excluded some pathogens.
Source: Frontiers
