Optimization of the detection of microbes in blood from immunocompromised patients with haematological malignancies.
The present study aimed to improve the rate of detection of blood-borne microbes by using PCRs with pan-bacterial and Candida specificity. Seventeen per cent of the blood samples (n=178) collected from 107 febrile patients with haematological malignancies were positive using standard culture (BacT/Alert system). Candida PCR was positive in 12 patients, only one of whom scored culture-positive. Bacterial PCR using fresh blood samples was often negative, but the detection rate increased when the blood was pre-incubated for 2 days. These data indicate that PCR assays might be a complement for the detection of blood-borne opportunists in immunocompromised haematology patients.
Skovbjerg
S
S
Department of Clinical Bacteriology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. susann.skovbjerg@vgregion.se
Welinder-Olsson
C
C
Kondori
N
N
Kjellin
E
E
Nowrouzian
F
F
Wold
A E
AE
Stockelberg
D
D
Larsson
P
P
Wennerås
C
C
D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041221:Candida glabrata / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology; D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D005334:Fever; D016469:Fungemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D009503:Neutropenia; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004271:DNA, Fungal