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Updated: May 5, 2026
In Situ Detection of Bacteria within Paraffin-embedded Tissues Using a Digoxin-labeled DNA Probe Targeting 16S rRNA
Published on: May 21, 2015
Detection and identification of bacterial DNA in serum from patients with acute pancreatitis
E de Madaria1, J Martínez, B Lozano
1Sección Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Pintor Baeza s/n 03010 Alicante, Spain.
Background And Aims:
Bacterial infections are common complications in patients with acute pancreatitis, and translocation of bacteria from the intestinal lumen is probably the first step in the pathogenesis of these infections. As blood cultures in afebrile patients are usually negative, more sensitive methods to investigate this hypothesis in patients are needed. Our group has recently developed a method to detect the presence of bacterial DNA in biological fluids, and we aimed to detect bacterial DNA in patients with acute pancreatitis, as molecular evidences of bacterial translocation.
Methods:
Samples of blood were obtained on three consecutive days within the first six days after admission. Bacterial DNA was detected using a polymerase chain reaction based method, and an automated DNA nucleotide sequencing process allowed identification of bacteria species.
Results:
Thirty one consecutively admitted patients with acute pancreatitis were studied. Bacterial DNA was detected in six patients (19.3%), and the sequencing process allowed identification of Citrobacter freundii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In two patients the same bacteria detected at admission was detected 24 hours later (above 99.9% homology of nucleotide sequence). Basic clinical and biochemical characteristics were similar among patients with or without the presence of bacterial DNA.
Conclusion:
Detection of gram negative bacteria derived bacterial DNA in our series supports the contention that bacterial translocation is a systemic process in approximately 20% of patients with acute pancreatitis that does not seem to be related to the severity of the episode or immediate development of infection.
Insights
Bacterial DNA was detected in nearly 20% of acute pancreatitis patients, indicating bacterial translocation. This molecular evidence suggests a systemic process not linked to disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Bacterial infections are frequent complications of acute pancreatitis.
- Bacterial translocation from the gut is a suspected initial step in pathogenesis.
- Standard blood cultures are often negative in afebrile patients, necessitating sensitive detection methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect bacterial DNA in acute pancreatitis patients as molecular evidence of bacterial translocation.
- To utilize a newly developed method for detecting bacterial DNA in biological fluids.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 31 acute pancreatitis patients over three consecutive days within six days of admission.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect bacterial DNA.
- Automated DNA nucleotide sequencing identified bacterial species.
Main Results:
- Bacterial DNA was detected in 19.3% (6/31) of patients.
- Citrobacter freundii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were identified.
- In two patients, the same bacteria were detected 24 hours apart with high sequence homology.
Conclusions:
- Detection of bacterial DNA supports bacterial translocation as a systemic process in about 20% of acute pancreatitis cases.
- This process does not appear to be related to the severity of the pancreatitis episode.
- The findings highlight the utility of molecular methods for detecting subclinical bacterial translocation.
