Point-of-care multiplex-PCR enables germ identification in haemolytic uremic syndrome 94 h earlier than stool culture

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Mar;40(3):643-645. doi: 10.1007/s10096-020-04060-x. Epub 2020 Oct 4.

Abstract

Haemolytic uremic syndrome often affects children causing a relevant morbidity and mortality. We compared the time to diagnosis by multiplex-PCR and stool culture in 15 children from two centres. Multiplex-PCR accelerated the time to diagnosis by 94 (95% confidence interval, 80-119; P = 0.0007) hours. Multiplex-PCR offers a time advantage of stool culture that may aid in earlier identification of outbreak clusters.

Keywords: Biofire; Children; Gastrointestinal panel; Shiga-like toxin.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Escherichia coli Infections / diagnosis
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction*
  • Point-of-Care Testing*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / isolation & purification