Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
Same-day test detects hidden infections in critically ill children
A same-day test helped doctors find infections in critically ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
The test uses metagenomics, which can look for a wide range of organisms rather than testing only for infections doctors suspect.
It detected 50 organisms that routine tests had not found.
In one in four cases, the results influenced whether doctors started, stopped or changed antibiotics.
Stopping antibiotics that will not work can help limit antimicrobial resistance, which makes infections harder to treat.
The test is being gradually introduced in about 30 intensive care units across the UK, treating adults and children.
Researchers say it could help identify new infections with pandemic potential.
A metagenomic test at Great Ormond Street Hospital detected infections in critically ill children that routine tests had missed.
In a quarter of cases, the results influenced decisions to start, stop or change antibiotics.
The test also detected 50 organisms not identified by routine diagnostics.
The service is being gradually rolled out to around 30 intensive care units across the UK.
Researchers say the test could help identify new infections and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
- Who
- Researchers and clinicians at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) studied the test.
- What
- Metagenomic testing detected infections and organisms missed by routine diagnostics. Its results influenced prescribing in a quarter of cases.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- GOSH, with the service being rolled out to intensive care units across the UK.
- Why
- To help identify infections and guide treatment, including stopping antibiotics when they are not expected to work.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust first used metagenomics to test for respiratory infections in adult patients.
Testing at GOSH detected 50 organisms not identified by routine diagnostics and influenced prescribing in a quarter of cases.
The testing is being rolled out to around 30 intensive care units across the UK.
- Prescribing decisions
- Results influenced decisions in a quarter of cases
- Additional organisms
- 50 detected that routine diagnostics did not identify
- Rollout
- Around 30 intensive care units across the UK
- Earlier use
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust tested adult patients for respiratory infections
What people are saying
The study has helped us to spot infections we would have missed, get children on the right treatment and stop antibiotics when we know they aren't going to work.
Removing unnecessary treatment is incredibly important for the fight against growing antimicrobial resistance.
It could be a powerful tool for identifying new infections that pose a pandemic threat.
In the future, if there was to be a new mystery pathogen that could be a cause of the next pandemic, we would detect that very quickly and put the right measures in place.