Limited diagnostic possibilities for bloodstream infections with broad-range methods: A promising PCR/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry platform is no longer available

Microbiologyopen. 2020 May;9(5):e1007. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.1007. Epub 2020 Feb 7.

Abstract

Fast and accurate detection of causative agents of bloodstream infections remains a challenge of today's microbiology. We compared the performance of cutting-edge technology based on polymerase chain reaction coupled with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) with that of conventional broad-range 16S rRNA PCR and blood culture to address the current diagnostic possibilities for bloodstream infections. Of 160 blood samples tested, PCR/ESI-MS revealed clinically meaningful microbiological agents in 47 samples that were missed by conventional diagnostic approaches (29.4% of all analyzed samples). Notably, PCR/ESI-MS shortened the time to positivity of the blood culture-positive samples by an average of 34 hr. PCR/ESI-MS technology substantially improved current diagnostic tools and represented an opportunity to make bloodstream infections diagnostics sensitive, accurate, and timely with a broad spectrum of microorganisms covered.

Keywords: 16S PCR; PCR/ESI-MS; bloodstream infections; broad-range PCR; molecular diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis*
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbiological Techniques
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sepsis / diagnosis*
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S