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Published on: July 9, 2012
Magicplex(TM) Sepsis Real-Time test to improve bloodstream infection diagnostics in children
Marco Denina1, Carlo Scolfaro2, Sara Colombo2
1Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Unit, Regina Margherita Children' s Hospital, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, Turin, 10126, Italy. marco.denina@gmail.com.
Unlabelled:
Sepsis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in children, especially in immunocompromised patients, and a rapid identification of causative pathogen is strongly related with a better outcome. This prospective study analyzes the role of a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction in sepsis' etiological diagnosis. Magicplex(TM) Sepsis Real-Time tests were performed in tertiary Regina Margherita Children's Hospital (Turin, Italy), and the medical records of children who underwent a Magicplex test were prospectively evaluated. Results of the Magicplex test were compared with those of blood culture collected at a close time point. One hundred fifty Magicplex tests were collected from 89 patients (54 males and 35 females, age interquartile range: 2.6-12.1 years). Etiological definition was achieved in 60 bloodstream infection cases (40 %). In 32 episodes, Magicplex test alone gave a positive result, and blood culture alone permitted the etiological diagnosis in 5 septic episodes. Magicplex test allowed a 143 % increase in the diagnostic value of blood cultures.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that molecular biology can be useful for rapid pathogen's identification also in children.
What Is Known:
• Sepsis represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. • Sepsis outcome is strongly related to rapid microbiological identification and prompt initiation of an appropriate chemotherapy. What is New: • This manuscript is the first that describes the use of Magicplex (TM) Sepsis Real-Time test in children. • The results suggest that molecular biology can be useful for rapid pathogen's identification also in children.
Insights
Rapid pathogen identification in pediatric sepsis is crucial. Multiplex real-time PCR, like the Magicplex test, significantly enhances etiological diagnosis compared to blood cultures alone, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Sepsis is a leading cause of severe illness and death in children, particularly those who are immunocompromised.
- Prompt and accurate identification of the causative pathogen is critical for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes.
- Current diagnostic methods, such as blood cultures, can be time-consuming and may not always yield timely results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, the Magicplex™ Sepsis Real-Time test, for the etiological diagnosis of sepsis in children.
- To compare the performance of the Magicplex™ test with conventional blood cultures in identifying pathogens in pediatric bloodstream infections.
- To assess the impact of the Magicplex™ test on the overall diagnostic yield for pediatric sepsis.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary children's hospital.
- Medical records of pediatric patients undergoing the Magicplex™ Sepsis Real-Time test were evaluated.
- Results from the Magicplex™ test were compared with results from blood cultures obtained around the same time.
Main Results:
- One hundred fifty Magicplex™ tests were performed on 89 pediatric patients.
- The Magicplex™ test alone provided a positive etiological diagnosis in 32 episodes.
- Blood culture alone identified the causative pathogen in only 5 septic episodes.
- The Magicplex™ test demonstrated a 143% increase in the diagnostic value compared to blood cultures.
Conclusions:
- Multiplex real-time PCR assays, such as the Magicplex™ test, are valuable tools for the rapid etiological diagnosis of sepsis in children.
- Molecular methods can significantly improve the speed and accuracy of pathogen identification in pediatric sepsis cases.
- The findings support the integration of molecular diagnostics into routine clinical practice for managing pediatric sepsis.
