Nested Multiplex PCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Bacterial and Fungal Blood Stream Infections in Patients with Hematological Malignancies

Abstract

loodstream Infection is a potential life-threatening condition that requires early diagnosis and prompt pathogen identification to initiate proper antimicrobial therapy especially in the vulnerable group of patients with hematological malignancies. Conventional blood culture has several disadvantages including the low sensitivity as well as a reporting delay of approximately 48–72 hours. The nested multiplex PCR-based technologies might offer a fast and reliable alternative for detection of bloodstream infections. It is based on 16S rDNA and 18S rDNA sequence-specific primers; hence, it allowed the simultaneous detection of most species of bacteria and fungi. This study aimed to identify microbial pathogens causing BSIs in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies and compare the results of conventional blood culture with a nested multiplex real time PCR assay done directly on whole blood samples. This study was conducted at Haematology Ward of Ain Shams University Hospitals on 40 adult patients with hematological malignancies; 19 males & 21 females with a mean of age of 37.175. All patients presented with febrile neutropenia.