Transplant infectious disease : an official journal of the Transplantation Society
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Observational Study
DNA-based testing in lung transplant recipients with suspected non-viral lower respiratory tract infection: A prospective observational study.
Non-viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are common among lung transplant (LTx) recipients with increased mortality. Early pathogen identification is crucial to guide therapy and avoid adverse events. Results from cultures may require up to 72 hours. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) may allow faster pathogen identification, but its utility in LTx recipients with suspected non-viral LRTI remains unclear. ⋯ In LTx recipients with suspected non-viral LRTI, multiplex PCR had a lower sensitivity than cultures. Results were available 2 hours earlier.