A new analysis method, known as universal digital high-resolution DNA melt (U-dHRM), has been developed to detect pathogens in blood samples with unprecedented speed and accuracy. U-dHRM outperforms traditional blood cultures, providing results in under six hours compared to the 15 hours to several days required by culture methods. Moreover, it reduces the likelihood of false positives, addressing a critical challenge in infection diagnosis.
The significance of U-dHRM is underscored by its potential to transform the diagnosis and treatment of infections, particularly in scenarios where timely and accurate detection is a matter of life and death. For instance, in pediatric ICUs and emergency rooms, the new method can play a pivotal role in identifying sepsis, a condition where up to 30% of patients receive incorrect treatment, leading to higher mortality risk. With sepsis, every hour of delayed or inaccurate treatment increases the risk of mortality by 4%, making rapid and precise diagnosis imperative.
In a pilot clinical study involving pediatric patients, U-dHRM demonstrated its ability to detect pathogens associated with sepsis much faster than conventional blood cultures, while also providing quantitative insights into pathogen presence. The technique relies on universal digital high-resolution DNA melting and machine learning algorithms to identify specific DNA signatures of pathogens in blood samples.
The research team's findings were published in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. The next steps for the team include conducting broader clinical studies and expanding its application to adult patients. The researchers have also taken steps to commercialize U-dHRM with the aim of enabling personalized medicine based on precise and accurate individual data.