Direct 16S/18S rRNA Gene PCR Followed by Sanger Sequencing as a Clinical Diagnostic Tool for Detection of Bacterial and Fungal Infections: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract
rRNA gene Sanger sequencing is being used for the identification of cultured pathogens. A new diagnostic approach is sequencing of uncultured samples by using the commercial DNA extraction and sequencing platform SepsiTest (ST). ABSTRACT rRNA gene Sanger sequencing is being used for the identification of cultured pathogens. A new diagnostic approach is sequencing of uncultured samples by using the commercial DNA extraction and sequencing platform SepsiTest (ST). The goal was to analyze the clinical performance of ST with a focus on nongrowing pathogens and the impact on antibiotic therapy. A literature search used PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Eligibility followed PRISMA-P criteria. Quality and risk of bias were assessed drawing on QUADAS-2 (quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies, revised) criteria. Meta-analyses were performed regarding accuracy metrics compared to standard references and the added value of ST in terms of extra found pathogens. We identified 25 studies on sepsis, infectious endocarditis, bacterial meningitis, joint infections, pyomyositis, and various diseases from routine diagnosis. Patients with suspected infections of purportedly sterile body sites originated from various hospital wards. The overall sensitivity (79%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 73 to 84%) and specificity (83%; 95% CI, 72 to 90%) were accompanied by large effect sizes. ST-related positivity was 32% (95% CI, 30 to 34%), which was significantly…
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