SynthesisPloS one2024
Role of cell-free DNA levels in the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis and bacteremia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- The leaky gut and microbiome in critical illness: emerging insights into microbial "translocation".Current opinion in critical care · 2026Review
- Epigenetic regulation of neutrophil dysfunction in sepsis: mechanisms, biomarkers, and translational challenges.Journal of translational medicine · 2026Review
- Circulating Tumor DNA as Emerging Predictive and Prognostic Biomarker in Prostate Cancer.Cancers · 2026Review
- Neutrophil-T cell cross talk in noninfectious liver diseases.American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology · 2026Review
- Prospective observational study of cell-free DNA as a prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 and bacterial sepsis: COVSEP-study.Scientific reports · 2025Observational
- Cell-free DNA in sepsis: from molecular insights to clinical management.Military Medical Research · 2025Review
- Molecular characterization of cell decay in inflammation and topological assignment of released cfDNA for integrative laboratory and radiological outcome assessment.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2025Article
- Liquid Biopsy for Medical Imaging Analysis in Cancer Diagnosis.Current pharmaceutical design · 2025Review
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSepsis remains a major cause of mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). Prompt diagnosis and effective management are imperative for better outcomes. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we explore the potential of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), as a promising tool for early sepsis detection and prognosis assessment, aiming to address limitations associated with traditional diagnostic methods.
methodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, we collected relevant literature from thirteen databases. Studies were included if they analyzed quantitative diagnostic or prognostic cfDNA levels in humans in case of sepsis. We collected data on basic study characteristics, baseline patient demographics (e.g. age and sex), and cfDNA levels across different stages of sepsis. Pooled SMD with 95%-CI was calculated, and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software facilitated meta-analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess cfDNA's combined sensitivity and specificity in diagnostics and prognostics.
resultsWe included a final of 44 studies, of which, only 32 with 2950 participants were included in the meta-analysis. cfDNA levels were higher in septic patients compared to healthy controls (SMD = 3.303; 95%-CI [2.461-4.145], p<0.01). Furthermore, cfDNA levels were higher in non-survivors than survivors (SMD = 1.554; 95%-CI [0.905-2.202], p<0.01). Prognostic studies demonstrated a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.78, while diagnostic studies showed a sensitivity of 0.81 and a specificity of 0.87.
conclusionThese findings show that cfDNA levels are significantly higher in sepsis patients compared to control groups and non-survivors in comparison to survivors among both adult and pediatric populations.
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