Plasma ddPCR for etiological diagnosis of focal bacterial infections

TL;DR

This study explores using plasma ddPCR to quickly and accurately diagnose focal bacterial infections, showing promising results compared to traditional culture methods.

Contribution

The study is the first to demonstrate plasma ddPCR's potential for diagnosing focal bacterial infections.

Findings

Plasma ddPCR results matched focal culture results in 7 out of 8 cases.

The ddPCR method had a significantly faster turnaround time (2.5 hours) compared to focal cultures (2.63 days).

Abstract

Plasma droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) has been used for pathogen detection and has shown good diagnostic value, but no studies have yet demonstrated its application in focal infections. Herein a pilot study using plasma ddPCR to diagnose focal infection is discussed.

Eight patients with a diagnosed focal infection who underwent plasma ddPCR for bacterial detection between 2021 and 2022 in Sir Run Run Shaw hospital were enrolled in this retrospective single-center pilot study. Results of ddPCR and focal cultures were compared as well as the turnaround time of two methods and other clinical data.

In 7/8 cases, plasma ddPCR results were consistent with focal culture results. The turnaround time for ddPCR was 2.5 h, significantly lower than the average time for focal cultures of 2.63 days.

This pilot study indicates the promising value of the plasma ddPCR method in the rapid diagnosis of focal infection. If larger studies support the findings here, this method can help improve diagnostic accuracy and guide treatment decisions in suspected focal infections.