21 Jul Non-Invasive Liquid Biopsy Can Detect Deep Seated Infections
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Hong
David K. Hong, M.D.
VP Medical Affairs and Clinical Development at Karius
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are a cause of significant mortality and morbidity in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis of IFIs is challenging, and often requires an invasive biopsy in order to identify the causal pathogen. There is a need for non-invasive methods of fungal identification to help guide targeted anti-fungal therapy.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: The Karius Test is a non-invasive next-generation sequencing (NGS) test of cell-free plasma that is a liquid biopsy for infectious diseases. In this study, this plasma test was able to detect fungi from deep-seated infections. These infections were identified clinically via an invasive procedure and conventional microbiology methods. The Karius Test can be a useful aid in the diagnosis of invasive fungi.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: These findings will need to be validated in a larger cohort of patients to establish the performance characteristics of the test. We will also be extending these findings in a larger study to demonstrate the clinical utility and potential cost savings that would be realized by using the Karius test.
The use of NGS for cell-free plasma as a liquid biopsy for infectious disease will be studied in other deep infections such as pneumonia and endocarditis.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: This test is run in a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory and is currently available to clinicians.
Citation:
Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2018 Jun 22. pii: S0732-8893(18)30195-0. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2018.06.009. [Epub ahead of print]
Hong DK1, Blauwkamp TA2, Kertesz M2, Bercovici S2, Truong C3, Banaei N4.
[wysija_form id=”3″]
[last-modified]
The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Last Updated on July 21, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD