Faster and more accurate pathogen detection through DNA melting

Fever, cough are some of the symptoms that can indicate a sepsis. When a child presents symptoms of sepsis in pediatric ICUs and emergency rooms, fast action and the right treatment is required, as the mortality risk increases by 4 percent every hour that the infection goes undiagnosed or inaccurately treated. 30 percent of patients receive the wrong treatment, which puts them at higher risk of dying.

During DNA melting, DNA undergoes thermal denaturation (at temperatures between 50 to 90 degrees celsius) with its double helix structure unwinding as temperatures rise. Each DNA sequence exhibits a unique melting curve, a characteristic fingerprint that researchers exploit for pathogen detection. Each DNA sequence exhibits a distinct melting signature, and by capturing and analyzing these signatures, machine learning algorithms can identify and characterize pathogens present in the samples. In the past, DNA melting has produced simple curves that were used primarily to confirm that a PCR reaction worked, but this new approach advances melting to generate complex melt curve signatures that are unique to gene sequences.

In a pilot clinical study involving pediatric patients, researchers demonstrated that their method precisely matched the results of blood cultures for detecting sepsis while delivering results 7.5 hours to about 3 days faster. Moreover, unlike conventional tests that yield binary outcomes, this approach quantifies pathogen presence, offering a more nuanced understanding of infection severity. Presenting their findings in an issue of The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, the research team highlighted the real-world applicability of their method in diagnosing sepsis in patients suspected of harboring the condition.

One of the major challenges associated with emerging DNA detection-based technologies is the propensity for false positives. However, digital DNA melting analysis boasts significantly lower false positive rates, ensuring that clinicians can confidently differentiate between true infections and spurious results. This increased specificity enhances diagnostic precision and prevents unnecessary antibiotic exposure, mitigating the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

The clinical implications of digital DNA melting analysis are far-reaching, particularly in critical care settings where timely diagnosis is essential. For instance, in pediatric intensive care units and emergency rooms, rapid identification of sepsis can mean the difference between life and death. By expediting the detection of sepsis-causing pathogens and quantifying their presence in blood samples, this approach empowers clinicians to make informed treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: University of California San Diego