A novel fluorescence in situ hybridization test for rapid pathogen identification in positive blood cultures. (20th February 2014) - Makristathis, A.
Abstract A novel molecular beacon‐based fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test allowing for the identification of a wide range of bacterial pathogens directly in positive blood cultures (BCs) was evaluated with positive BCs of 152 patients. Depending on the Gram stain, either a Gram‐negative or a Gram‐positive panel was used. The time to result was 30 min, and the hands‐on time was only 10 min. Seven per cent of the cultured microorganisms were not included in the FISH panels; the identification rate of those included was 95.2%. Overall, the FISH test enabled accurate pathogen identification in 88.2% of all cases analysed.