Combining Gram stain and 16S qPCR improved diagnostic accuracy for suspected pneumonia and could become a new metric in the rapid diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections.

ABSTRACT: Introduction. The frequency of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in hospitals and the risk of delaying effective treatment result in the culture of respiratory secretions for nearly all patients with suspected pneumonia. Culture delays contribute to over prescribing and use of broader spectrum antibiotics.Gap statement. The need for improved rapid diagnostics for early assessment of suspected hospital pneumonia.Aim. To validate a new metric, enhanced Gram stain (EGS), to provide a rapid diagnostic test of high diagnostic accuracy that could be assessed in clinical trials of the use of antibiotics in suspected pneumonia.Methodology. Ninety-two residual lower respiratory samples previously tested by culture and Gram stain were re-tested by 16S ribosomal DNA re

SUBMITTER: Hamza YP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12453404 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature