Fast I(n)dentification of Pathogens in Neonates (FINDPATH-N): protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsis

Introduction Sepsis is a major source of morbidity and mortality in neonates; however, identification of the causative pathogens is challenging. Many neonates have negative blood cultures despite clinical evidence of sepsis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a high-throughput, parallel sequencing...

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Main Authors: Alison E Fox-Robichaud, Salhab el Helou, Jennifer Ann Klowak, Jeffrey M Pernica, Melissa J Parker, Michael Surette, Hendrik Poinar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2020-02-01
Series:BMJ Paediatrics Open
Online Access:https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000651.full
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author Alison E Fox-Robichaud
Salhab el Helou
Jennifer Ann Klowak
Jeffrey M Pernica
Melissa J Parker
Michael Surette
Hendrik Poinar
author_facet Alison E Fox-Robichaud
Salhab el Helou
Jennifer Ann Klowak
Jeffrey M Pernica
Melissa J Parker
Michael Surette
Hendrik Poinar
author_sort Alison E Fox-Robichaud
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Sepsis is a major source of morbidity and mortality in neonates; however, identification of the causative pathogens is challenging. Many neonates have negative blood cultures despite clinical evidence of sepsis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a high-throughput, parallel sequencing technique for DNA. Pathogen-targeted enrichment followed by NGS has the potential to be more sensitive and faster than current gold-standard blood culture. In this pilot study, we will test the feasibility and pathogen detection patterns of pathogen-targeted NGS in neonates with suspected sepsis. Additionally, the distribution and diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers cell-free DNA and protein C levels at two time points will be explored.Methods and analysis We will conduct a prospective, pilot observational study. Neonates over 1 kg with suspected sepsis from a single tertiary care children’s hospital will be recruited for the study. Recruitment will be censored at 200 events or 6 months’ duration. Two blood study samples will be taken: the first simultaneous to the blood culture (time=0 hour, for NGS and biomarkers) via an exception to consent (deferred consent) and another 24 hours later after prospective consent (biomarkers only). Neonates will be adjudicated into those with clinical sepsis, culture-proven sepsis and without sepsis based on clinical criteria. Feasibility parameters (eg, recruitment) and NGS process time will be reported.For analysis, NGS results will be described in aggregate, compared with the simultaneous blood culture (sensitivity and specificity) and reviewed via expert panel for plausibility. Pilot data for biomarker distribution and diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) for distinguishing between septic and non-septic neonates will be reported.Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been granted by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board. We will seek publication of study results in peer-reviewed journals.
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spelling doaj-art-00a17e6a0f0747bab8bd1adcf62342732025-08-20T02:51:43ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Paediatrics Open2399-97722020-02-014110.1136/bmjpo-2020-000651Fast I(n)dentification of Pathogens in Neonates (FINDPATH-N): protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsisAlison E Fox-Robichaud0Salhab el Helou1Jennifer Ann Klowak2Jeffrey M Pernica3Melissa J Parker4Michael Surette5Hendrik Poinar63 Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada1 Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaPaediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada1 Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada8 Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada4 Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaIntroduction Sepsis is a major source of morbidity and mortality in neonates; however, identification of the causative pathogens is challenging. Many neonates have negative blood cultures despite clinical evidence of sepsis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a high-throughput, parallel sequencing technique for DNA. Pathogen-targeted enrichment followed by NGS has the potential to be more sensitive and faster than current gold-standard blood culture. In this pilot study, we will test the feasibility and pathogen detection patterns of pathogen-targeted NGS in neonates with suspected sepsis. Additionally, the distribution and diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers cell-free DNA and protein C levels at two time points will be explored.Methods and analysis We will conduct a prospective, pilot observational study. Neonates over 1 kg with suspected sepsis from a single tertiary care children’s hospital will be recruited for the study. Recruitment will be censored at 200 events or 6 months’ duration. Two blood study samples will be taken: the first simultaneous to the blood culture (time=0 hour, for NGS and biomarkers) via an exception to consent (deferred consent) and another 24 hours later after prospective consent (biomarkers only). Neonates will be adjudicated into those with clinical sepsis, culture-proven sepsis and without sepsis based on clinical criteria. Feasibility parameters (eg, recruitment) and NGS process time will be reported.For analysis, NGS results will be described in aggregate, compared with the simultaneous blood culture (sensitivity and specificity) and reviewed via expert panel for plausibility. Pilot data for biomarker distribution and diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) for distinguishing between septic and non-septic neonates will be reported.Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been granted by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board. We will seek publication of study results in peer-reviewed journals.https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000651.full
spellingShingle Alison E Fox-Robichaud
Salhab el Helou
Jennifer Ann Klowak
Jeffrey M Pernica
Melissa J Parker
Michael Surette
Hendrik Poinar
Fast I(n)dentification of Pathogens in Neonates (FINDPATH-N): protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsis
BMJ Paediatrics Open
title Fast I(n)dentification of Pathogens in Neonates (FINDPATH-N): protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsis
title_full Fast I(n)dentification of Pathogens in Neonates (FINDPATH-N): protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsis
title_fullStr Fast I(n)dentification of Pathogens in Neonates (FINDPATH-N): protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsis
title_full_unstemmed Fast I(n)dentification of Pathogens in Neonates (FINDPATH-N): protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsis
title_short Fast I(n)dentification of Pathogens in Neonates (FINDPATH-N): protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsis
title_sort fast i n dentification of pathogens in neonates findpath n protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsis
url https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000651.full
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