Usefulness of a 16S rDNA real-time PCR to monitor neonatal sepsis and to assist in medical decision to discontinue antibiotics.
OBJECTIVE
To monitor the bacterial load in newborns with proven infections on the day of admission, 48 h and 7 days after treatment.


METHODS
Real-time PCR (qPCR) targeting the 16S rDNA.


RESULTS
The study recruited 17 newborns and the bacterial load was in general low (<50 CFU/mL). In three of four deaths, the bacterial load values increased, and in 11 of the 13 survivors the values decreased until the third evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the extreme sensitivity and high negative predictive value of qPCR, this test could help to monitor the treatment of neonatal sepsis and to assist in medical decision to discontinue antibiotics.
a Laboratory of Pathology, Division of Microbiology , Julio Muller University Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso , Cuiabá , Brazil .
Inês
I
Stranieri
b Laboratory of Seroepidemiology and Immunobiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil .|c Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Immunology (LIM48), Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases , School of Medicine, University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil .
Kelly Aparecida
KA
Kanunfre
b Laboratory of Seroepidemiology and Immunobiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil .|c Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Immunology (LIM48), Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases , School of Medicine, University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil .
Jonatas Cristian
JC
Rodrigues
b Laboratory of Seroepidemiology and Immunobiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil .
Lidia
L
Yamamoto
d Department of Pediatrics , Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT) , Cuiabá , Brazil .
Maria Isabel Valdomir
MI
Nadaf
e Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM-36) , Children's Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil , and.|f Department of Pediatrics , School of Medicine, University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil.
Patricia
P
Palmeira
b Laboratory of Seroepidemiology and Immunobiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine , University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil .
Thelma Suely
TS
Okay
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000379:methods*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003657:Decision Making; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000071074:Neonatal Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000032:analysis*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D028761:Withholding Treatment
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
16S rDNA; Bacterial load; neonatal sepsis; quantitative PCR; real time PCR