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A pilot study for evaluating the feasibility of using alpha-defensin to support the diagnosis of ventriculitis

Authors :
James B. Doub
Source :
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol 132, Iss , Pp 80-83 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Elsevier, 2023.

Abstract

Objectives: Nosocomial ventriculitis is a difficult infectious condition to diagnose given that typical cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) parameters, commonly used in the diagnosis of meningitis, lack sensitivity and specificity in nosocomial ventriculitis. Consequently, novel diagnostics are needed to aid in diagnosing this condition. Herein a pilot study using alpha-defensins (α-defensins) to diagnose ventriculitis is discussed. Methods: From May 01, 2022, to December 30, 2022, ten patients with culture-proven external ventricular drain (EVD)-associated ventriculitis and ten patients without EVD-associated ventriculitis had CSF preserved. Levels of α-defensins were compared between the two cohorts with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: There was a statistically significant (P ˂0.0001) higher level of CSF α-defensins in the ventriculitis cohort compared to the non-ventriculitis cohort. The levels of α-defensins were not affected by blood in CSF or bacterial virulence. Patients with other infectious conditions had increased levels of α-defensins but these levels were still statistically significantly (P ˂0.001) less than those seen in the ventriculitis cohort. Conclusion: This pilot study shows that α-defensins have promise as a biomarker to aid in the diagnosis of ventriculitis. If larger studies support the findings here, this biomarker can help improve diagnostic accuracy and decrease unwarranted empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic use in suspected EVD-associated ventriculitis.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
12019712
Volume :
132
Issue :
80-83
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.0b763fa9e674268aade0ee575957fa7
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2023.04.389