Microbio is pleased to announce the publication of a new peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Critical Care (May 29, 2026), demonstrating the potential its InfectID™-BSI multiplex qPCR assay has in the rapid detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae directly from whole blood.
The study highlights the ability of InfectID™-BSI to identify this important and often underdiagnosed pathogen within 3–4 hours, offering earlier detection than conventional blood culture methods, which typically require 18–48 hours for organism identification.
In a cohort of 203 patients with suspected sepsis, InfectID™-BSI detected S. pneumoniae in 19 patients (9.3%). Notably, all cases were missed or not detected by conventional blood culture, including instances where cultures were negative or identified alternative organisms.
These findings reinforce the limitations of blood culture in detecting difficult to grow/fastidious pathogens and demonstrate how molecular diagnostics may improve diagnostic sensitivity, particularly in patients who have already received empiric antimicrobial therapy or have low bacterial loads (bioburden) in blood.
The study further underscores the importance of early and accurate pathogen identification in patients with sepsis and community-acquired pneumonia. By delivering results within hours, InfectID™-BSI has the potential to support earlier targeted antimicrobial therapy and improved antimicrobial stewardship, helping clinicians optimise treatment decisions in time-critical scenarios.
The authors conclude that integrating rapid molecular diagnostics such as InfectID™-BSI with conventional microbiology workflows could enhance detection of bloodstream infections and improve clinical management, particularly for pathogens that may otherwise remain undetected.