Potential role of the detection of enterobacterial DNA in blood for the management of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.
We present three cases of pre-term low-weight infants with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) [one eventually recognized as a connatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection], microbiologically monitored using a molecular assay detecting bacterial and fungal DNA in blood. The detection of DNA from enteric pathogens in blood was interpreted as a sign of ongoing perforation, and represented a useful complement in the management of the presented cases. Moreover, these cases suggest the opportunity for larger future studies to assess the possible role of a molecular approach in the close monitoring of infants with suspected NEC or with other conditions at-risk for intestinal perforation.
Laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Nicasio
N
Mancini
U.O. di Neonatologia e Patologia Neonatale, Dipartimento di Pediatria, Ospedale San Raffaele, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Antonella
A
Poloniato
Laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Nadia
N
Ghidoli
Laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Silvia
S
Carletti
U.O. di Neonatologia e Patologia Neonatale, Dipartimento di Pediatria, Ospedale San Raffaele, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Martina
M
Fomasi
U.O. di Neonatologia e Patologia Neonatale, Dipartimento di Pediatria, Ospedale San Raffaele, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Graziano
G
Barera
U.O. di Neonatologia e Patologia Neonatale, Dipartimento di Pediatria, Ospedale San Raffaele, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Rosanna
R
Rovelli
Laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Paola
P
Cichero
Laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Roberto
R
Burioni
Laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università 'Vita-Salute' San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Massimo
M
Clementi
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004754:Enterobacter / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009099:Multiple Birth Offspring
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial