Diagnosing Sepsis and Identifying Bacterial Resistance Genes Directly from Whole Blood Using a Rapid Real-Time PCR System

Rapid diagnosis is vital for patients with sepsis. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the diagnostic performance of rapid Real-Time PCR (rRT-PCR), which detects 32 pathogens and common resistance genes in whole blood within four hours. This study included 160 adult patients with sepsis. Whole-blood samples and BCs were collected from all patients simultaneously, and causative microorganisms were investigated using an rRT-PCR panel and an automated BC system. The panel was also used to detect common resistance genes. The microorganisms most frequently isolated from the BCs were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli. Among the resistance genes (7.5%) detected by rRT-PCR, mecA, OXA-48, and CTX-M were the most frequently identified. The agreement rate between the BC and rRT-PCR results was statistically significant at 79.4%. In the concordance group, the mean age was higher, while the duration of positive BC signals was significantly shorter. Additionally, the sensitivity and specificity of the rRT-PCR method were found to be 80.7% and 99.0%, respectively. Thus, the panel’s ability to detect the causative bacteria and common resistance genes within four hours offers a significant clinical advantage. This allows for early diagnosis in patients with sepsis, prevents progression to septic shock, and reduces mortality rates.