Abstract
Myristic acid is identified as a metabolite with the highest diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in the metabolome of patients with bacteraemia. Its significant decrease has been observed in patients with septic shock not responding to treatment. Another study has reported a close correlation of myristic acid levels with the outcome of severe trauma patients. Myristic acid concentrations were investigated in a cohort of septic patients and patients with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) in 5 consecutive days following diagnosis and compared to healthy controls. The study population groups—Sepsis 34, SIRS 31, and Healthy Control 120 patients were included. Serum samples were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The myristic acid levels in the Sepsis Group and SIRS Group were found to be significantly higher when compared to healthy controls. The serum concentration of myristic acid in septic patients with bacteraemia was higher than in septic patients without bacteraemia. Most patients with sepsis and SIRS had the highest levels of myristic acid within 24 h after an established diagnosis. Myristic acid should be considered as a new candidate marker of severe inflammation and sepsis. A simplified analysis and sufficient body of validated data are necessary steps towards the introduction of this metabolite into routine clinical practice.
Highlights
The last two decades have been marked by significant developments in the field of the so-called ‘precision medicine’, including the introduction of this concept in sepsis diagnosis and management
Patients’ demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded in the usual manner for intensive care unit (ICU) stay in the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) Group, and in the same pattern as for the patients in the Sepsis Group
Sensitivity and 100% specificity between SIRS patients and healthy volunteers at T0 lies within interval 23.9–30.5 μmol/L
Summary
The last two decades have been marked by significant developments in the field of the so-called ‘precision medicine’, including the introduction of this concept in sepsis diagnosis and management. Remarkable findings of the above mentioned studies and our own observation of the kinetics of serum free myristic acid levels following accidental intravenous administration of germfree eubiotic preparation causing a sepsis-like inflammatory response [14] have inspired us to conduct a pilot study into the correlation of free myristic acid serum levels and diagnosis of sepsis with and without bacteraemia, including a comparison with patients with non-infectious SIRS and Control Groups. Our study has the ambition to turn the attention of intensive care physicians and researchers to this metabolite and to stimulate further studies and research activities in the field
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
