Simultaneous Detection of Clinically Relevant Candida Species, Aspergillus Species, MRSA and Selected Gram Negative Bacilli by Real Time PCR in Immunocompromised Patients with Sepsis

Abstract

ediatric patients with immunodeficiency and malignancy have an increased incidence of septicemia with a high case fatality rate (10 to 50%). Moreover, prolonged hospitalization, broad spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy, and supportive care have a strong impact on the cost of care. Rapid detection of the infectious cause and prompt initiation of appropriate antimicrobial treatment are fundamental for the successful treatment of septic patients and for the reduction of antibiotic resistance rate. Therefore we use PCR in order to increase the speed of diagnosis by shortening the turnaround time combined with increase the sensitivity as by shortening the time to pathogen identification and allowing for detection of organisms missed by blood culture, molecular methods may contribute to the reduction of hospital stay as well as deceases in mortality.