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Evaluation of Droplet Digital PCR Rapid Detection Method and Precise Diagnosis and Treatment for Suspected Sepsis

Evaluation of Droplet Digital PCR Rapid Detection Method and Precise Diagnosis and Treatment for Suspected Sepsis

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05190861
Enrollment
1032
Registered
2022-01-13
Start date
2021-12-29
Completion date
2023-12-29
Last updated
2025-07-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Sepsis, Septic Shock

Keywords

Digital Droplet PCR, Etiology Diagnose

Brief summary

Sepsis is a significant public health concern worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. With regard to a targeted antimicrobial treatment strategy, the earliest possible pathogen detection is of crucial importance. Until now, culture-based detection methods represent the diagnostic gold standard, although they are characterized by numerous limitations. Culture-independent molecular diagnostic procedures may represent a promising alternative. In particular, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a novel one-step PCR assay that achieves higher accuracy and sensitivity in detecting causing pathogens in patients with bloodstream infections.

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTdroplet digital PCR method

The droplet digital PCR method can detect nucleic acids from the most common pathogens (approximately 90%) responsible for BSIs according to Chinet2020 and takes about 4 hours to perform, reporting within the first 24h of suspected sepsis/septic shock.

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTblood culture

Blood culture is a conventional microbiological method of pathogen detection. Results from blood cultures are usually not available until 24 to 72 hours after sampling.

Sponsors

Huashan Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1.18 years or older 2.Meet 2 of 4 sepsis criteria 1. Temperature \> 38C or \< 36C 2. Heart rate \> 90 bpm 3. Respiratory rate \>20 or PaCO2 \<32mmHg 4. WBC \>12000/µL or \< 4000/µL or \> 10% bands 3.Hospitalized patients who have a diagnostic blood culture ordered as standard of care for suspected sepsis 4.Informed Consent by patient or legal representative.

Exclusion criteria

1. Refusal to participate in the study or Failure to comply with treatment or follow-up time 2. Known breastfeeding or pregnancy 3. The researcher believes that there are any conditions (social or medical) that allow subjects to participate is unsafe. For example, severe anemia or high risk of bleeding,etc., which are not suitable for taking peripheral blood for testing 4. Participating in other clinical studies

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
SpecificityUp to 96 hours post blood collectionThe primary endpoint of estimated specificity will be determined by comparing negative blood culture results with the concomitantly collected ddPCR results from the prospective clinical specimens.
SensitivityUp to 96 hours post blood collectionThe primary endpoint of estimated sensitivity will be determined by comparing positive blood culture results with the concomitantly collected ddPCR results from the prospective clinical specimens.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of patients with targeted antimicrobial therapyUp to the end of study participation, an average of 1 year
Time to identification of a potential pathogenAt time point of identification of a potential pathogen, up to 96 hours post blood collection
Change in condition severityUp to the end of study participation, an average of 1 yearThe sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA score), previously known as the sepsis-related organ failure assessment score, higher scores mean worse outcome.
Days in intensive care unit (ICU)Up to the end of study participation, an average of 1 year
Duration of antimicrobialsUp to the end of study participation, an average of 1 year
Days in hospital (from study inclusion)Up to the end of study participation, an average of 1 year
All-cause deathUp to the end of study participation, an average of 1 year
Treatment costsUp to the end of study participation, an average of 1 year
Quality of life of survivors after being dischargedUp to the end of study participation, an average of 1 yearEQ-5D, a standardised measure of health-related quality of life developed by the EuroQol Group.The EQ-5D descriptive system comprises five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression. The number of levels in these dimensions is 5 in the EQ-5D-5L. Higher levels mean worse health states.
Ventilation duration in ICU (hours)Up to the end of study participation, an average of 1 year
Time to the change to the targeted antimicrobial therapyAt time point of change to the targeted antimicrobial therapy, up to 96 hours post blood collection

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 22, 2026