Comparison of rapid hybridization-based pathogen identification and resistance evaluation in sepsis using the Verigene® device paired with "good old culture".

Rapid microbial diagnostics is important for septicemic patients. The current gold standard is blood culture with consecutive pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. However, these culture-based methods need at least 48 h.The aim of this study was to compare Verigene® (Nanosphere, Northbrook, IL, USA), a rapid hybridization-based method, with conventional culture-based methods for detection of pathogens and resistance markers from positive blood cultures of septic patients.In 85 of 100 tested blood culture samples (85 %), pathogen identification as well as resistance profile were identical in Verigene and conventional culture. In 4 %, discordant results were observed. In 9 %, conventional culture revealed a pathogen ID or resistance phenotype not included in the Verigene panel. In 2 % no Verigene result was available.In conclusion, Verigene offers the availability of fast and reliable pathogen identification and resistance profile determination, which may result in an earlier start of adequate antimicrobial treatment.