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Cell-Free DNA Integrity Analysis in Urine Samples
Published on: January 5, 2017
Cell-free DNA Levels in Cellulitis: A Cross-sectional Prospective Study
Chaya Bracha Gordon1, Ayelet Ollech2, Gidon Test3
1Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
|June 3, 2026
Summary
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) shows promise as a biomarker for cellulitis. Elevated cfDNA levels in patients correlated with disease severity and decreased with effective antibiotic treatment.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Cellulitis lacks objective biomarkers for disease activity and treatment response.
- Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a potential indicator of systemic inflammation.
- Current management faces diagnostic ambiguity and treatment challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cfDNA as a quantitative biomarker for cellulitis.
- To assess the correlation between cfDNA levels and inflammatory markers.
- To evaluate cfDNA's utility in monitoring therapeutic response and pain severity.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cross-sectional study involving 36 cellulitis patients and 30 healthy controls.
- Quantification of plasma cfDNA at multiple time points: admission, 72 hours post-antibiotics, discharge, and 3-week follow-up.
- Correlation analysis of cfDNA with C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) counts, and pain scores.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated plasma cfDNA levels were observed in cellulitis patients at admission compared to controls.
- cfDNA levels decreased rapidly following antibiotic therapy, correlating with reduced WBC counts.
- Higher cfDNA levels were associated with increased patient-reported pain scores.
Conclusions:
- cfDNA shows potential as a diagnostic biomarker for cellulitis.
- cfDNA can objectively monitor the efficacy of antibiotic treatment.
- cfDNA may serve as an objective proxy for pain severity in cellulitis.
