Commercial bacterial and fungal broad range PCR (micro-dx™) used on culture-negative specimens from normally sterile sites: Diagnostic value and implications for antimicrobial treatment

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of partial 16S/18S rRNA gene sequencing with the commercial kit Micro-Dx™ used with the SelectNA™plus instrument, on culture-negative samples. Methods A retrospective study of microbiological and clinical data from a 2.5-years period. Assessment of the clinical relevance of the 16S/18S rRNA gene sequencing results was based on evaluation of the results in the clinical context and changes in antimicrobial therapy. Results Included were 529 samples from 223 patients, representing 251 episodes. In 191 samples (36.1%) bacterial/fungal DNA were detected. Positive results were judged clinically relevant in 79 (31.5%) episodes. Antimicrobial treatment was adjusted according to the 16S/18S rRNA gene sequence analysis result in 42 (16.7%) episodes. Conclusions The results from 16S/18S rRNA gene sequence analysis were highly clinically relevant. These findings support the use of this analysis in a routine setting.