Daily Sepsis Research Analysis
Two studies address sepsis across distinct settings: a veterinary diagnostic accuracy evaluation of two Sepsityper MALDI-TOF MS workflows using a Bayesian latent class model, and a retrospective analysis identifying prognostic factors in adult burn patients with sepsis. Together, they emphasize rapid diagnostics and pragmatic risk stratification to guide timely management.
Summary
Two studies address sepsis across distinct settings: a veterinary diagnostic accuracy evaluation of two Sepsityper MALDI-TOF MS workflows using a Bayesian latent class model, and a retrospective analysis identifying prognostic factors in adult burn patients with sepsis. Together, they emphasize rapid diagnostics and pragmatic risk stratification to guide timely management.
Research Themes
- Rapid diagnostics in sepsis
- Prognostic biomarkers in burn-associated sepsis
- Methodological advances: Bayesian latent class modeling
Selected Articles
1. Accuracy of two Sepsityper MALDI-TOF MS methods for bacterial identification in bloodstream infections in dogs, foals, and calves using Bayesian latent class model.
This veterinary diagnostic study compares two Sepsityper MALDI-TOF MS workflows for direct bacterial identification from positive blood cultures in dogs, foals, and calves, using a Bayesian latent class model to estimate accuracy without a perfect gold standard. The work targets faster organism identification to facilitate antimicrobial de-escalation in veterinary bloodstream infections.
Impact: Introduces Bayesian latent class modeling to evaluate MALDI-TOF Sepsityper diagnostic accuracy across multiple veterinary species, addressing the lack of a perfect reference standard. Could standardize rapid pathogen identification workflows in veterinary sepsis care.
Clinical Implications: If validated, direct-from-blood culture MALDI-TOF MS workflows could shorten time to organism identification and enable earlier antimicrobial de-escalation in veterinary critical care.
Key Findings
- Compared two Sepsityper MALDI-TOF MS workflows for direct bacterial identification from positive blood cultures.
- Applied a Bayesian latent class model to estimate diagnostic accuracy without assuming a perfect gold standard.
- Focused on canine, equine (foal), and bovine (calf) bloodstream infections to inform veterinary antimicrobial stewardship.
Methodological Strengths
- Use of Bayesian latent class modeling to address imperfect reference standards in diagnostic accuracy.
- Cross-species evaluation (dogs, foals, calves), enhancing generalizability across veterinary practice.
Limitations
- Abstract does not report sample size or performance metrics, limiting assessment of precision and effect size.
- Potential spectrum and selection biases cannot be excluded from the abstract alone.
Future Directions: Prospective, multicenter validation with time-to-identification, antimicrobial de-escalation, and clinical outcomes; open sharing of datasets and code for reproducibility.
2. Who By Fire? Sepsis in the Adult Burn Patient: Prognostic Factors.
In a 5-year single-center retrospective review, 30 adult burn patients with sepsis were identified; higher total/direct bilirubin, and elevated admission white blood cell and platelet counts were associated with mortality (P<0.05). Burns with TBSA ≥40% were associated with sepsis, and common injured areas were arms, head, and legs.
Impact: Defines pragmatic prognostic markers (bilirubin, WBC, platelet count) in burn-associated sepsis, supporting early risk stratification where diagnosis is challenging. Highlights TBSA ≥40% as a sepsis-associated threshold in burn care.
Clinical Implications: In burn units, incorporating bilirubin and admission WBC/platelet counts into monitoring may identify high-risk septic patients earlier, prompting aggressive surveillance and timely antimicrobial and organ support.
Key Findings
- Among 30 burn patients with sepsis, higher total and direct bilirubin were associated with increased mortality (P<0.05).
- Elevated admission white blood cell and platelet counts correlated with mortality (P<0.05).
- Total body surface area burns ≥40% were associated with sepsis; common injury sites were arms, head, and legs, with fire as the leading cause.
Methodological Strengths
- Comparative cohort including sepsis and non-sepsis burn patients over a 5-year period.
- Use of routine, widely available laboratory parameters enhances applicability.
Limitations
- Single-center retrospective design with small sepsis sample size (n=30) limits generalizability and power.
- Potential confounding and burn-specific sepsis diagnostic challenges may affect associations.
Future Directions: Prospective multicenter validation and integration of bilirubin and hematologic markers into burn-specific sepsis scoring; interventional studies testing protocolized responses to early risk signals.