ArticleFrontiers in microbiology2025
Plasma microbial cell-free DNA characterization in different populations based on the droplet digital PCR method: a multi-cohort study.
Article in Frontiers in microbiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Clinical application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in children with suspected bloodstream infection.European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology · 2026Article
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20 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Plasma microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) is a key biomarker for diagnosing bloodstream infections (BSIs), which contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with severe trauma, chronic illnesses, or immunosuppressive conditions. However, the baseline distribution of mcfDNA in different populations remains unclear. This study characterizes plasma mcfDNA profiles across various human populations. Methods: A total of 300 blood samples were collected from 10 groups: healthy individuals (Group A), patients with chronic diseases but no infections (Group B1-B7), patients with mild-to-moderate infections (Group C), and patients meeting sepsis criteria (Group D). Multiplex droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used to detect mcfDNA from 10 common sepsis-causing bacterial species, two fungal species, and three herpesviruses (HSV-1, Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], and Cytomegalovirus [CMV]). Results: Most pathogens in all groups showed low mcfDNA copy concentrations (~100 copies/mL), forming a baseline. Group A had no pathogens exceeding this level, while Group B showed elevated Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive characterization of mcfDNA across different health states, demonstrating the utility of ddPCR in detecting microbial infections. These findings contribute to refining infection diagnostics and improving early detection strategies for BSIs and sepsis.
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