Molecular assays for the diagnosis of sepsis in neonates: a diagnostic test accuracy review
Traditional microbial cultures for diagnosing neonatal sepsis have low sensitivity and are slow, but rapid molecular assays offer promising advances that could improve outcomes in newborns.
The studies included in this review suggest that molecular tests (based on a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in growth, development, functioning and reproduction from bacteria) may be very helpful additional tests in detecting blood infection (sepsis) in babies because they provide rapid results.
Using molecular tests may help us stop using antibiotics in babies without a blood infection quicker because the results are faster than blood cultures (a test that checks for bacteria or other germs in the blood). However, further research is needed to prove this.
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