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. 2015 Feb;25(1):e253.
doi: 10.5812/ijp.253. Epub 2015 Jan 17.

Evaluation of the Light-Cycler® SeptiFast Test in Newborns With Suspicion of Nosocomial Sepsis

Javier Ortiz Ibarra  1 , Pablo Trevino Valdez  2 , Ema Valenzuela Mendez  1 , Ana Limon Rojas  3 , Gabriel Lara Flores  4 , Adrian Ceballos Bocanegra  5 , Iyari Morales Mendez  6 , Luis Fernandez Carrocera  6 , Emilia Covian Molina  3 , Jesus Reyna Figueroa  3
Affiliations

Evaluation of the Light-Cycler® SeptiFast Test in Newborns With Suspicion of Nosocomial Sepsis

Javier Ortiz Ibarra et al. Iran J Pediatr. 2015 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Nosocomial sepsis (NS) in newborns (NBs) is associated with high mortality rates and low microbial recovery rates. To overcome the latter problem, new techniques in molecular biology are being used.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of SeptiFast test for the diagnosis of nosocomial sepsis in the newborn.

Materials and methods: 86 blood specimens of NBs with suspected NS (NOSEP-1 Test > 8 points) were analyzed using Light Cycler SeptiFast (LC-SF) a real-time multiplex PCR instrument. The results were analyzed with the Roche SeptiFast Identification Software. Another blood sample was collected to carry out a blood culture (BC).

Results: Sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp) of 0.69 and 0.65 respectively, compared with blood culture (BC) were obtained for LC-SF. Kappa index concordance between LC-SF and BC was 0.21. Thirteen (15.11%) samples were BC positive and 34 (31.39%) were positive with LC-SF tests.

Conclusions: Compared with BC, LC-SF allows the detection of a greater number of pathogenic species in a small blood sample (1 mL) with a shorter response time.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Infant, Newborn; Infection; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sepsis.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Decision pattern for the study of patients based in NOSEP-1 score
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Comparison of SeptiFast and Blood Culture for Microbial Identification, According to Agent
E coli, Escherichia coli; K pneumon, Klebsiella pneumonia; CNS, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus; S bovis, Streptococcus bovis; E faecalis, Enterococcus faecalis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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