Research in bone marrow transplant patients with blood cancers and febrile neutropenia suggests the host-response test may help identify infection in high-risk populations.
A new study published in the European Journal of Haematology demonstrates that SeptiCyte RAPID can effectively differentiate severe infection from non-infectious inflammation in bone marrow transplant patients with febrile neutropenia, a condition that can quickly progress to life-threatening sepsis.
The observational study evaluated the performance of Immunexpress’ host-response molecular test in patients with acute leukemia, B-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma after bone marrow stem cell transplantation. Febrile neutropenia in these immunocompromised patients often represents the only indication of severe underlying infections.
“It is often difficult to establish the cause of febrile neutropenia especially since conventional microbiology is often negative, and has a long turnaround time. Infection in these patients can quickly escalate to life-threatening sepsis,” says associate professor Patrick Harris, who leads the research team at the University of Queensland and is an infectious disease physician and microbiologist at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, in a release. “The study results suggest that SeptiCyte RAPID, when used alongside clinical assessment, may support earlier differentiation between infection and sterile inflammation, helping guide risk stratification, antimicrobial decisions, and stewardship.”
Sample-to-Answer Testing Platform
SeptiCyte RAPID is a cartridge-based, host response molecular test that uses reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to quantify the relative expression of two host response genes (PLAC8 and PLA2G7) from whole blood. The test generates a SeptiScore within approximately one hour, reported across four interpretation bands reflecting increasing likelihood of sepsis.
The test runs on the Biocartis Idylla platform and is CE marked in Europe. SeptiCyte RAPID has received clearances in the United States, Europe, and Australia for use in hospitalized patients suspected of sepsis.
The test is intended for use in conjunction with clinical assessments, vital signs, and other laboratory findings as an aid in differentiating infection-positive sepsis from non-infectious systemic inflammation.
Addressing Clinical Challenges
The study addresses a clinical challenge in managing cancer patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. These patients are at high risk for both infectious and non-infectious complications, and distinguishing between the two conditions is critical for appropriate treatment decisions.
Traditional microbiological testing often fails to identify pathogens in febrile neutropenia cases and requires extended turnaround times that may delay critical treatment decisions. Host-response testing offers an alternative approach by measuring the patient’s immune response rather than directly detecting pathogens.
The research supports the utility of host-response testing in haematological malignancy patients, where febrile neutropenia may be the only indication of severe underlying infections that carry significant morbidity and mortality risks.
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