Six-hour DNA test spots sepsis germs days before standard labs

A six-hour blood test that sequences microbial DNA has successfully identified likely sepsis-causing pathogens in a real-world patient well before traditional laboratory cultures succeeded. Conventional diagnostics can require two to seven days and fail to detect a pathogen in over 60% of suspected cases. The Heriot-Watt University-developed iSEP-SEQ method detected two probable infectious agents several days ahead of standard confirmation, although the early result was not used to guide therapy in this instance.

The technology works by spotting circulating microbial DNA rather than waiting for organisms to grow. Researchers say the finding demonstrates the potential for rapid genomic tools to improve sepsis management. Further development will receive a €300,000 grant from the Ministry of Science and Health of Rhineland-Palatinate, supporting expanded clinical validation across Scotland and Germany.