Groundbreaking research on neonatal sepsis

For the first time Edinburgh researchers have been able to detect and decode a signal generated from a baby’s DNA that can tell doctors whether or not a bacterial infection is present in the bloodstream.

The findings could help develop a test for bacterial infection in newborns, using a single drop of blood.

Immediate detection of such infections, which are a major cause of death among young children, is currently impossible as no simple test exists.

Accurate diagnosis of infection could limit overuse of antibiotics, which can lead to drug resistance.

The Edinburgh team identified a signal consisting of 52 molecular characters - like a biological tweet - that is specific to bacterial infection.

Just as a Twitter user can send a 140 character message so a baby’s genome produces short messages or signals that produce code information to communicate with the infant’s immune and metabolic systems so that it can fight the infection. The 52-character ‘tweet’ or message that we have identified appears to be specific for bacterial but not viral infection. This type of signal could also be used to detect infection in children and adults. We are now working on ways of using a single drop of blood to detect this vital signal. This work is also leading us onto a response to tackling antibiotics resistance.

Professor Peter Ghazal

The researchers have spent the past decade trying to unravel the complexities of blood poisoning and its treatment among premature and full-term babies.

They say that the genome’s signal provides critical, immediate information on the infection.

Using blood samples from newborn babies in Edinburgh, the study investigated thousands of signals written in biological code known as messenger RNAs.

Through meticulous code-breaking the scientists were able to decipher with close to 100 per cent accuracy the signals generated by an infant’s genome that specifically tell if they are suffering from sepsis.

Diagnosing sepsis in newborns is extremely difficult, as signs of infection, such as a high temperature, may not occur - or if they do, they may not be due to an infection.

Currently the most reliable way to detect infection is by detecting the bacteria in the blood but require a large volume of blood.

An antibody test cannot be used as they only provide historical information about an infant’s illness.

The paper, which is published in Nature Communications, was supported by the Wellcome Trust, the Chief Scientist Office, EU-FP7, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council.