Development of a Multiplex PCR Platform for the Rapid Detection of Bacteria, Antibiotic Resistance, and Candida in Human Blood Samples.

ABSTRACT: The diagnosis of bloodstream infections (BSIs) still relies on blood culture (BC), but low turnaround times may hinder the early initiation of an appropriate antimicrobial therapy, thus increasing the risk of infection-related death. We describe a direct and rapid multiplex PCR-based assay capable of detecting and identifying 16 bacterial and four Candida species, as well as three antibiotic-resistance determinants, in uncultured samples. Using whole-blood samples spiked with microorganisms at low densities, we found that the MicrobScan assay had a mean limit of detection of 15.1 ± 3.3 CFU of bacteria/Candida per ml of blood. When applied to positive BC samples, the assay allowed the sensitive and specific detection of BSI pathogens, including bla KPC-, mecA-, or vanA/vanB-positive bacteri

SUBMITTER: Liotti FM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6863929 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature