loading page

Noninvasive Diagnosis of Pulmonary Infection in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Patients Using Microbial Cell-Free DNA
  • Lauren Smith,
  • Frederick Goldman,
  • Susmita Murthy
Lauren Smith
Childrens of Alabama

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Frederick Goldman
Children's Hospital of Alabama
Author Profile
Susmita Murthy
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Author Profile

Abstract

Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients are highly immune compromised with a significantly increased risk for severe pulmonary infections. In these two case reports, we review the use of plasma microbial cell-free DNA next generation sequencing, also known as the Karius Test (KT), as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. These cases illustrate how the KT can provide early species-level identification of pathogens for patients that are either unable to tolerate sedated bronchoscopy, or those with negative bronchoalveolar lavage due to heavy antibiotic pre-treatment. These two clinical cases illustrate how use of KT can reduce infection-related morbidity and mortality.