Polymerase Chain Reaction In Patients Research Articles

Immunohistochemistry and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction: importance in the diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis in a Peruvian population

IntroductionThe diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis is challenging even nowadays. This study aims to report the positivity rates of new diagnostic methods such as immunohistochemistry and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction in patients with intestinal tuberculosis, as well as describe the pathological and endoscopic features of intestinal tuberculosis in our population.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study conducted in patients diagnosed with intestinal tuberculosis, between 2010 to 2023 from the Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrion and a Private Pathology Center, both located in Peru. Clinical data was obtained, histologic features were independently re-evaluated by three pathologists; and immunohistochemistry and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction evaluation were performed. The 33 patients with intestinal tuberculosis who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited.ResultsImmunohistochemistry was positive in 90.9% of cases, while real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction was positive in 38.7%. The ileocecal region was the most affected area (33.3%), and the most frequent endoscopic appearance was an ulcer (63.6%). Most of the granulomas were composed solely of epithelioid histiocytes (75.8%). Crypt architectural disarray was the second most frequent histologic finding (78.8%) after granulomas, but most of them were mild.ConclusionSince immunohistochemistry does not require an intact cell wall, it demonstrates higher sensitivity compared to Ziehl–Neelsen staining. Therefore, it could be helpful for the diagnosis of paucibacillary tuberculosis.

Exosomal miR-200c and miR-141 as cerebrospinal fluid biopsy biomarkers for the response to chemotherapy in primary central nervous system lymphoma

BackgroundTo improve early diagnosis and chemotherapy efficacy monitoring in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exosomal microRNA (miRNA) studies were performed.MethodSmall RNA sequencing was performed to identify candidate exosomal miRNAs as CSF biopsy biomarkers from two patients with de novo PCNSL and two patients in remission after chemotherapy. miR-200c and miR-141 expression in CSF exosomes was further validated using relative quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in patients with PCNSL (n = 20), patients with other neurological diseases (n = 10), and normal subjects (n = 10). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses of miR-200c and miR-141 in the diagnosis and prediction of chemotherapy efficacy in PCNSL were performed in patients treated with methotrexate. Additionally, bioinformatics tools were utilized to predict the potential targets of miR-200c and miR-141.ResultsExosomal miR-200c and miR-141 levels in CSF from patients with PCNSL were significantly lower than those in control subjects. Importantly, miR-200c and miR-141 were upregulated in patients with PCNSL after chemotherapy (P = 0.002). There was a significant correlation between the levels of miR-141 and IL-10 in CSF (P = 0.04). The combination of miR-200c and miR-141 yielded an area under the ROC curve of 0.761 for distinguishing PCNSL with sensitivity and specificity of 60.0% and 96.7%, respectively. The potential target genes of miR-200c and miR-141 in PCNSL included ATP1B3, DYNC1H1, MATR3, NUCKS1, ZNF638, NUDT4, RCN2, GNPDA1, ZBTB38, and DOLK.ConclusionCollectively, miR-200c and miR-141 are likely to be upregulated in CSF exosomes after chemotherapy in patients with PCNSL, highlighting their potential as reliable liquid biopsy biomarkers for PCNSL diagnosis and chemotherapy efficacy monitoring.

Perceived Social Support and Anxiety among Chronic Hepatitis-C Patients.

To study the relationship of perceived social support (PSS) and anxiety among patients of Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC). It is a cross sectional survey conducted from March 2021 to December 2021 in different hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Sampling was done through purposive and snowball technique. Self-administered and standardized questionnaires were used. To analyze perceived social support and anxiety, perceived social support "scale" and Beck anxiety inventory were used in patients of Hepatitis C. Patients Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) positive HCV patients between the ages 31 to 50 years were included. Patients with comorbid conditions and other than 31 to 50 years of age were excluded from the study. Out of 250, males were 185(74%) and females 65(26%). Ages were between 31 to 50 years. PSS in both males and females was 49.8 and 49 (p=0.63%) with anxiety level 44.63 and 56.18 (p=0.00) respectively. There was no significant gender differences on PSS but women had significantly higher on anxiety (M = 56.18, SD = 11.36) with moderate effect size (>.05). PSS had significant negative correlation with anxiety (r = -.31, p < .05). Anxiety is more common in females and perceived social support has negative correlation with anxiety in patients of Chronic Hepatitis C.

JAK2V617F mutation is highly prevalent in patients with ischemic stroke: a case-control study

AbstractIschemic stroke has a high recurrence rate despite treatment. This underlines the significance of investigating new possible cerebrovascular risk factors, such as the acquired gene mutation JAK2V617F found in 3.1% of the general population. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of the JAK2V617F mutation in a population with ischemic stroke compared with that in matched controls. We enrolled 538 consecutive Danish patients with ischemic stroke (mean age, 69.5 ± 10.9 years; 39.2% female) within 7 days of symptom onset. Using multiple-adjusted conditional logistic regression analysis, we compared the prevalence of JAK2V617F with that in age- and sex-matched controls free of ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) from the Danish General Suburban Population Study. DNA was analyzed for JAK2V617F mutation using sensitive droplet digital polymerase chain reaction in patients and controls. Of the 538 patients with ischemic stroke, 61 (11.3%) had JAK2V617F mutation. There were no differences in patient demographics or cerebrovascular comorbidities between the patients with and without mutations. Patients with ischemic stroke were more likely to have the JAK2V617F mutation than matched controls, in whom the JAK2V617F prevalence was 4.4% (odds ratio, 2.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-3.58; P < .001). A subanalysis stratified by smoking history revealed that the association was strongest in current smokers (odds ratio, 4.78; 95% confidence interval, 2.22-10.28; P < .001). Patients with ischemic stroke were 2.4 times more likely to have the JAK2V617F mutation than matched controls without ICVD when adjusting for other cerebrovascular risk factors. This finding supports JAK2V617F mutation as a novel cerebrovascular risk factor.

Differential Reactivation of Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus in Patients with B Cell Lymphoma.

Although cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are considered latent viruses, their reactivation occurs in immunosuppressed conditions. We previously reported that CMV and EBV are reactivated in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy and/or chemotherapy. This retrospective, single-center study aimed to determine the frequency of viral reactivation and clinical characteristics of patients with B cell lymphoma (B-ML) receiving chemotherapy. Twenty-four patients (mean age 73 years, range 40-87 years; male-to-female ratio, 15:9) with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (n = 15), follicular lymphoma (n = 8), or mantle cell lymphoma (n = 1) were enrolled. Serum CMV and EBV DNA levels were analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in patients with B-ML receiving chemotherapy. We determined the cumulative reactivation of each virus and analyzed the relationship between viral reactivation and clinical characteristics. Three patients experienced relapse or refractory (R/R) disease and the others had de novo lymphomas. The frequencies of CMV and EBV reactivations were 54.2% and 37.5%, respectively. CMV reactivation occurred significantly earlier during chemotherapy courses in R/R patients than in de novo patients (p = 0.0038), while EBV reactivation was frequently found before treatment. Baseline serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor were higher (4318.0 vs. 981.1 U/mL, p = 0.010) and hemoglobin levels were lower (11.1 vs. 13.0 g/dL, p = 0.0038) in patients with EBV reactivation than in those without reactivation. These findings were not observed in patients with CMV reactivation. CMV reactivation was associated with iatrogenic immunosuppression, whereas EBV reactivation was related to immunosuppression by lymphoma, indicating that the mechanisms of these viral reactivations differed.

A Study of Dopaminergic Pathway in Neurologic Wilson Disease with Movement Disorder

Movement disorder (MD) is an important manifestation of neurologic Wilson disease (NWD), but there is a paucity of information on dopaminergic pathways. We evaluate dopamine and its receptors in patients with NWD and correlate the changes with MD and MRI changes. Twenty patients with NWD having MD were included. The severity of dystonia was assessed using BFM (Burke-Fahn-Marsden) score. The neurological severity of NWD was categorized as grades I to III based on the sum score of 5 neurological signs and activity of daily living. Dopamine concentration in plasma and CSF was measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and D1 and D2 receptor expression at mRNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in patients and 20 matched controls. The median age of the patients was 15years and 7 (35%) were females. Eighteen (90%) patients had dystonia and 2 (10%) had chorea. The CSF dopamine concentration (0.08 ± 0.02 vs 0.09 ± 0.017pg/ml; p = 0.42) in the patients and controls was comparable, but D2 receptor expression was reduced in the patients (0.41 ± 0.13 vs 1.39 ± 1.04; p = 0.01). Plasma dopamine level correlated with BFM score (r = 0.592, p < 0.01) and D2 receptor expression with the severity of chorea (r = 0.447, p < 0.05). The neurological severity of WD correlated with plasma dopamine concentration (p = 0.006). Dopamine and its receptors were not related to MRI changes. The central nervous system dopaminergic pathway is not enhanced in NWD, which may be due to structural damage to the corpus striatum and/or substantia nigra.

Detection of the presence of Epstein−Barr virus and cytomegalovirus using polymerase chain reaction in patients with chronic kidney disease

Detection of the presence of Epstein−Barr virus and cytomegalovirus using polymerase chain reaction in patients with chronic kidney disease

Quantitative Proteomics Indicate Radical Removal of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Predict Outcome.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with low survival rates, often due to late diagnosis and lack of personalized medicine. Diagnosing and monitoring NSCLC using blood samples has lately gained interest due to its less invasive nature. In the present study, plasma was collected at three timepoints and analyzed using proximity extension assay technology and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in patients with primary NSCLC stages IA-IIIA undergoing surgery. Results were adjusted for patient demographics, tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, and multiple testing. Major histocompatibility (MHC) class 1 polypeptide-related sequence A/B (MIC-A/B) and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 6 (FASLG) were significantly increased post-surgery, suggesting radical removal of cancerous cells. Levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) initially increased postoperatively but were later lowered, potentially indicating radical removal of malignant cells. The levels of FASLG in patients who later died or had a relapse of NSCLC were lower at all three timepoints compared to surviving patients without relapse, indicating that FASLG may be used as a prognostic biomarker. The biomarkers were confirmed using microarray data. In conclusion, quantitative proteomics could be used for NSCLC identification but may also provide information on radical surgical removal of NSCLC and post-surgical prognosis.

Levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related mRNA in peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis or gynaecological cancer.

ObjectiveTo compare the levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated mRNAs and the clinical characteristics of patients with endometriosis or gynaecological cancer.MethodsThis prospective study obtained intraperitoneal fluid samples from female patients that underwent surgery. The levels of ER stress mRNAs in the peritoneal fluid, including C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), X-box binding protein 1 (sXBP1), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein (BiP), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) and protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), were measured using real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in patients with benign disease without endometriosis (control group), with endometriosis or with gynaecological cancer.ResultsThis study enrolled 126 patients: 46 control patients; 47 with endometriosis; and 33 with cancer. The levels of CHOP and BiP mRNA were significantly higher in the control group compared with the cancer group. Levels of sXBP1 and ATF6 mRNA were significantly higher in the cancer group than in the control and endometriosis groups. In the endometriosis group, ATF6 mRNA level was inversely correlated with age and positively correlated with serum cancer antigen 125 levels; and ATF6 and PERK mRNA levels were inversely correlated with parity.ConclusionThe levels of ER stress-related mRNAs were related to the pathogenesis of endometriosis and gynaecological cancers.

Hepatoselüler karsinomda serum mikroRNA-122'nin önemi

Purpose: The main purpose of our study is to research the potential of circulating microRNA-122 (miR-122)as a marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Circulating miR-122 levels were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in patients with varied stages of hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, various other laboratory and clinical data of the participants were evaluated in order to observe the correlation between these data and serum miR-122 levels.&#x0D; Results: Serum miR-122 levels were found significantly higher in hepatocellular carcinoma patients compared to the control group. (median miR-122 (min. – max.); patients: 0.0104 (0-0.262); controls: 0.00187 (0-0.100), p

LOOP-MEDIATED ISOTHERMAL AMPLIFICATION FOR DETECTION OF C. BURNETII IN BULGARIA

Q fever, which is caused by Coxiella burnetii, a small, pleomorphic intracellular bacterium, is the most widespread zoonosis in the world. The chronic form of the disease can lead to disability and death. Rapid diagnosis of Q fever is needed in order that effective treatment can be initiated. The conventional retrospective diagnosis of Q fever, based on serology, is useless for the treatment of afflicted patients. Thus, molecular methods have been created to close the diagnostic gap between the onset of the disease and the presence of specific antibodies in serum. A polymerase chain reaction is a suitable and reliable method with high sensitivity and specificity, but it requires expensive equipment and post-amplification protocol. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an isothermal technique, conducted at constant temperature that can amplify a negligible amount of DNA to more than 109 copies within one hour, using special primers and polymerase. We have tested the sensitivity and specificity of LAMP in the detection of C. burnetii. The mean positive rate of LAMP and polymerase chain reaction in patients was 100% and 74%, respectively. LAMP reacted negatively with non-C. burnetii pathogens and non-infected blood samples. We conclude that LAMP is a sensitive and specific technique for the detection of C. burnetii and has advantages over serological methods and PCR that make it attractive for diagnosing Q fever in countries around the world.

Плацента-ассоциированные осложнения беременности: влияние полиморфизма rs4065 гена урокиназы

Objective. To determine the risk of development of placental-related disorders of pregnancy in the presence of single-nucleotide polymorphism rs4065 of the urokinase gene in a mother. Patients and methods. The presence of the genetic variant of the rs4065 urokinase gene was determined in venous blood samples using real-time polymerase chain reaction in patients with placental-related pregnancy disorders and in the control group. Results. Associations between the risk of development of placental-related disorders of pregnancy, such as fetal growth resrtiction and pre-eclampsia, and the maternal rs4065 genotype were found. A correlation between the maternal rs4065 genotype and the degree of fetal growth restriction and the severity of pre-eclampsia was identified. The most unfavorable is the presence of the CC genotype. Conclusion. The presence of single-nucleotide substitutions in the maternal urokinase gene is associated with the development of placental-related disorders of pregnancy. Key words: urokinase-type plasminogen activator, angiogenesis, fetal growth restriction, placental insufficiency, pre-eclampsia, SNP

A report on incidence of COVID-19 among febrile patients attending a malaria clinic.

Context:Screening for malaria and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in all patients with acute febrile illness is necessary in malaria-endemic areas to reduce malaria-related mortality and to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by isolation.Aims:A pilot study was undertaken to determine the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among febrile patients attending a malaria clinic.Subjects and Methods:All patients were tested for malaria parasite by examining thick and thin blood smears as well as by rapid malaria antigen tests. COVID-19 was detected by rapid antigen test and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction in patients agreeing to undergo the test.Results:Out of 262 patients examined, 66 (25.19%) were positive for Plasmodium vivax, 45 (17.17%) for Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) with a slide positivity rate of 42.40%, and Pf% of 40.50%. Only 29 patients consented for COVID-19 testing along with malaria; of them, 3 (10.34%) were positive for COVID-19 alone and 2 (6.89%) were positive for both COVID-19 and P. vivax with an incidence of 17.24%. A maximum number of patients (196) did not examine for COVID-19 as they did not agree to do the test.Conclusion:Diagnosis of COVID-19 among three patients (10.34%) is significant both in terms of identification of cases and to isolate them for preventing transmission in the community. Detection of COVID-19 along with malaria is equally important for their proper management.

Optimization of diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection using polymerase chain reaction in a large multi-specialty hospital

Аbstract. We consider the possibility of optimizing the diagnosis of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 using polymerase chain reaction in a multi-specialty hospital, repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, using the example Of the military medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov. The analysis of scientific publications selected in accordance with the purpose of the study, analyzed data from 218 samples of polymerase chain reaction in patients with COVID-19, who were in the clinics Of the military medical Academy named after Sm. Time intervals were established depending on the clinical forms and severity of the infectious process, in which the probability of a positive and negative result of a polymerase chain reaction to SARS-CoV-2 RNA was maximum and minimum. It was shown that during the examination and treatment, molecular biological diagnostics were performed excessively (4 times in more than 50% of patients) and in 97,3% of patients unreasonably early (8,50,4 days). At the same time, the highest frequency of negative results of polymerase chain reaction to SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed in the period from 9 to 10 and from 12 to 14 days, while it depended on the clinical form and severity of the infectious process. In this regard, the volume diagnosis using polymerase chain reaction should be reduced and to conduct research when entering the hospital, on the 9th-10th day (in patients inapparently forms and acute respiratory diseases, lung flow) and 12-14 days before discharge in patients with moderate and severe course of the infectious process.

WITHDRAWN: Diagnostic accuracy of folate receptor-positive circulating tumor cells detected by ligand-targeted polymerase chain reaction in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis

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Comparative analysis of the rate of microorganism detection in the prostatic fluid and ejaculate using real-time polymerase chain reaction in patients with category IV chronic prostatitis

The study objective is to compare the rate of detection of various microorganisms in the prostatic fluid and ejaculate using real-time polymerase chain reaction in patients with category IV chronic prostatitis.Materials and methods. Between December of 2016 and July 2019, a prospective study including 81 patients with category IV chronic prostatitis per the National Institutes of Health Prostatitis Syndrome Classification (1999) was performed. The patients referred to the clinic of the Ivanovo State Medical Academy for preconception preparation, infertility or erectile disfunction. At the examination, all patients lacked symptoms characteristic of category II or III chronic prostatitis. Transrectal ultrasound of the prostate, microscopic examination of the prostatic fluid and (or) ejaculate, quantitative examination of urogenital tract microbiota using real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed.Results. Comparison of microbiota of the prostatic fluid and ejaculate showed significant differences in the total amount of bacterial mass: in the prostatic fluid mean titer was 3.7 ± 1.6, in the ejaculate it was 2.6 ± 1.8 (p &lt;0.001). Prostatic fluid contained significantly more of the following microorganisms: Enterobacteriaceae spp./Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium, Eubacterium, Anaerococcus (p &lt;0.05). No significant differences in the amounts of other microorganisms were observed.Conclusion. The study demonstrates significant heterogeneity of qualitative and quantitative microbiota content in the prostatic fluid and ejaculate. Supposedly, it can be explained by anatomical and physiological characteristics of the prostate, seminal vesicles and periurethral glands that secrete fluid for the ejaculate. The ejaculate contains less microorganisms compared to prostatic fluid which should be taken into account in differential diagnosis of infections of the urogenital tract.The authors declare no conflict of interest.All patients gave written informed consent to participate in the study.

Clinical factors influencing the performance of bacterial multiplex polymerase chain reaction in patients with community-onset pneumonia.

The etiologic diagnostic yield of community-onset pneumonia (COP) using conventional methods is low. Bacterial multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) has been shown to be more sensitive than conventional methods. This study assessed the clinical factors influencing bacterial mPCR results in patients with COP. Patients with COP admitted to a tertiary care hospital between November 2015 and April 2016 were retrospectively assessed. Conventional methods included culture-based methods and serology for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Bacterial mPCR that could identify Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophilia was performed. Bacterial mPCR was performed in a total of 342 patients with COP in the study. Bacterial mPCR alone provided etiology in 99 patients. The total etiologic diagnosis rates improved from 22.2 to 51.1% when bacterial mPCR was added to conventional methods. Additional diagnostic benefits of bacterial mPCR were more prominent in the prior antibiotic non-exposure group (77.8% vs 63.5%, P = 0.015) and in the low-risk group with low CURB 65 score (62.6% vs 44.9%, P = 0.005). Patients who required ICU care, those with healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP), and patients with any underlying diseases were not associated with the additional pathogen detection rates using bacterial mPCR. By supplementing conventional diagnostic methods with bacterial mPCR-based methods, the overall pathogen detection rates improved in patients with COP. Moreover, the additional diagnostic usefulness of bacterial mPCR was significantly higher in patients without prior antibiotic exposure and in the mild-to-moderate-risk group with lower CURB 65 score.

Investigation of JC Virus Positivity By Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction in Patients with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Investigation of JC Virus Positivity By Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction in Patients with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Plasma ctDNA RAS mutation analysis by digital polymerase chain reaction in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality worldwide. Despite the emergence of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of inoperable PDAC, reliable prognostic/predictive biomarkers are lacking. PDAC harbours mutations in the KRAS gene in 80-90% of patients. The aim of the present study is the detection and quantification of RAS mutations in the ctDNA of patients with inoperable PDAC by BEAMing digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in order to (a) evaluate the correlation with tissue RAS mutation status in the tumour, (b) study the baseline prognostic significance and (c) study the predictive significance of ctDNA RAS mutation kinetics for the prediction of response to systemic/neoadjuvant therapy. Methods Plasma samples of patients with locally advanced or metastatic inoperable PDAC were collected at diagnosis and at 4-6 weeks after treatment initiation and were tested for 34 mutations in the KRAS and NRAS genes by BEAMing digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This method has a particularly high sensitivity and can accurately quantify mutated DNA as the Mutant Allele Fraction (MAF). To test the efficacy and validity of ctDNA for the detection of RAS mutations, RAS mutations will also be tested for on paired tumour tissue samples of the patients under study by PCR. Results So far, 38 plasma samples from 20 patients were available for analysis. At baseline, mutant ctDNA pertaining to exon 2 codon 12 of the KRAS gene was detected in all patients’ samples and, additionally, to exon 3 codon 61 of the NRAS gene in one of them. Comparison of plasma and tissue results revealed a high agreement of the RAS mutational profile in plasma ctDNA and tissue tumour DNA. Kinetics of the RAS mutational load during therapy and its prognostic or predictive value will be analysed with further cohort expansion. Conclusions This work highlights the potential role of liquid biopsies in the management of PDAC and, more specifically, will yield preliminary data on the role of RAS ctDNA profiling as a predictive and prognostic marker. Legal entity responsible for the study Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Ioannina. Funding Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO) and Society for Study of Clonal Heterogeneity of Neoplasia (EMEKEN). Disclosure G. Pentheroudakis: Research grant / Funding (institution), Support material was provided for this project: Sysmex Inostics. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Outcomes and clinical relevance of stool multiplex bacterial polymerase chain reaction in patients with acute diarrhea: single center experience.

Background/AimsDiagnostic stool multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing has attracted considerable interest, because of its high sensitivity, short turnaround time, and ability to detect multiple organisms simultaneously. This study investigates the clinical usefulness of a stool multiplex bacterial PCR in patients with acute diarrhea.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the stool multiplex bacterial PCR results, clinical parameters, and clinical courses of patients hospitalized because of acute diarrhea between August 2014 and November 2016.ResultsA total of 725 patients (male, 372; mean age, 30.9 ± 29.3 years) underwent stool multiplex bacterial PCR. A total of 243 pathogens were detected in 226 patients. The detection rate of multiplex PCR testing was higher than that of stool culture (32.7% vs. 3.3%, p < 0.01). Severe symptoms of acute diarrhea (bloody diarrhea, frequent diarrhea) and prescribed empirical antibiotics were significantly more common in the positive multiplex PCR group (p = 0.02, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). However, mean durations of hospital stay were similar in the 2 groups according to the multiplex PCR results (p = 0.32). In addition, Campylobacter spp., which was the most commonly detected pathogen (97/243, 39.9%), was significantly associated with frequent diarrhea and prescribed empirical antibiotics (p < 0.01), but not with duration of hospital stay (p = 0.09).ConclusionsWe concluded that stool multiplex bacterial PCR might be a useful tool for identifying bacterial etiology in patients with acute diarrhea, especially in those with Campylobacter spp. infection.