Etiological diagnosis of bloodstream infections through a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction test in pediatric patients: a case series from a tertiary Italian hospital

AbstractBackground: The outcome of bloodstream infections (BSIs) is strongly related to microbiological diagnosis. Several factors may reduce blood culture (BC) diagnostic yield in pediatric BSIs, making the application of molecular methods quite promising. Methods: Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests (the LightCycler Septifast Test MGRADE by Roche Diagnostics - LC-SF) performed in the tertiary centre of Regina Margherita Children's Hospital (Turin, Italy) over a 3-year period were retrospectively evaluated. Results of the LC-SF test were compared with those of BC (Automated Bact/Alert 3D, Biomerieux) collected at a close time point. Results: 545 LC-SF tests were collected from 289 patients (183 males, median age 6.8 years, interquartile range (IQR) = 2.7–13.1); 163 had congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. In 515 cases (94.5%) the LC-SF test was performed with ongoing empirical antimicrobial therapy. Etiological definition was achieved in 111 BSI cases (20.4%). Both LC-SF and BC ...