Rickey Miller Jr
Abdominal surgeries produce the highest number of Surgical Site Infections (SSI) than any other surgical procedures. Pathology specimens from these procedures (either fluid or tissue) have been analyzed for bacterial isolates in diagnostic labs using various plating and culture methods for years. While these methods have been effective, newer technology and tests based on whole genome sequencing have shortened the time for microbial identification. Six different molecular diagnostic platforms: quantitative Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) Laboratory-Developed Test (LDT), a COBAS SARS-CoV-2 high-throughput system, three direct RT-qPCR kits, and Reverse Transcription loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification (RT-LAMP) plus rapid antigen tests were evaluated for their diagnostic capacity to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA by 103 SARS-CoV-2 positive patient samples were tested with these 7 methods and viral RNA being detected between 50.5% - 81.6% of samples on molecular platforms. Antigens were detected only 11.7% of samples when tested by rapid antigen test. Despite varying sensitivities on the different platforms, each platform was verified as a reliable detection tool for the virus with rapid antigen testing being a less reliable option for detecting coronavirus RNA. Increased precision and sensitivity from molecular testing platforms provide more accuracy and efficiency when looking for pathogenic bacteria causing surgical site infections in recovering patients. Early detection of bacterial isolates in surgical incisions post-surgery is imperative to the recovery of patients after a procedure. This project will investigate which molecular genomic platform is better at detecting pathogenic bacteria after abdominal surgery.
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Journal of Clinical Anesthesiology: Open Access received 31 citations as per Google Scholar report
