The Use of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Bacterial and Fungal Bloodstream Infections in Thoracic Allograft Recipients

Infections remain a major cause of morbitity and mortality in thoracic allograft recipients and critical to the success of managing these complex patients is the rapid identification of the causing microorganisms. In the present study we attempted to evaluate the utility of a multiplex real-time PCR system (SeptiFast®, Roche Diagnostics) for the detection of microbiological infections in blood samples of immunocompromised thoracic allograft recipients with clinical signs of sepsis. The evaluation was performed by comparison to the classical blood culture assay.