title: Branched DNA-based Alu quantitative assay for cell-free plasma DNA levels in patients with sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
abstract: Cell-free circulating DNA (cf-DNA) can be detected by various of laboratory techniques. We described a branched DNA-based Alu assay for measuring cf-DNA in septic patients. Compared to healthy controls and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) patients, serum cf-DNA levels were significantly higher in septic patients (1426.54 ± 863.79 vs 692.02 ± 703.06 and 69.66 ± 24.66 ng/mL). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of cf-DNA for normal vs sepsis and SIRS vs sepsis were 0.955 (0.884-1.025), and 0.856 (0.749-0.929), respectively. There was a positive correlation between cf-DNA and interleukin 6 or procalcitonin or Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II. The cf-DNA concentration was higher in intensive care unit nonsurviving patients compared to surviving patients (2183.33 ± 615.26 vs 972.46 ± 648.36 ng/mL; P < .05). Branched DNA-based Alu assays are feasible and useful to quantify serum cf-DNA levels. Increased cf-DNA levels in septic patients might complement C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in a multiple marker format. Cell-free circulating DNA might be a new marker in discrimination of sepsis and SIRS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Central Laboratory, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201600, China. Electronic address: houyanqiang@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Yan-Qiang
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Department of Central Laboratory, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201600, China.
authors.forename: Dong-Yu
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Central Laboratory, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201600, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610.
authors.forename: Zhen-huan
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610.
authors.forename: Lu-rong
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002474:Cell-Free System; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D004247:DNA; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
keywords: Biomarkers; Cell-free DNA; Diagnosis; Sepsis; bDNA-based Alu assay