Bacterial DNA detection in blood using PCR/ESI-MS in neonates with suspected early onset infection

PCR/ESI-MS detected bacterial DNA of organisms considered pathogenic in four times more blood samples than culture alone, and had a high sensitivity and negative predictive value. Bacterial DNA was detected by PCR/ESI-MS in infants who did not have bacterial growth on blood culture and this was associated with a raised inflammatory marker. It may be a useful tool to exclude sepsis in the neonatal cohort and reassess the need for prolonged antibiotic treatment. The results are promising but there is a need to improve blood collection methods to take advantage of the potential benefits of molecular detection.