Empyema project

In this study we will develop, evaluate and implement a novel rapid diagnostic test for pleural empyema. Using modern sequencing technologies, we have recently demonstrated that culture based routine diagnostics recover only 10-20% of the bacteria present in pleural empyema. In addition, culture is slow and takes several days to produce a result. Consequently, patients remain on broad-specter antibiotics, often throughout the treatment. This is unfortunate, since our investigations also show that the bacteria normally present can be effectively treated using more narrow specter antibiotics.The new test under development is a PCR-based method to detect relevant bacteria within 2-3 hours. This will contribute to fast and reliable confirmation of the pleural empyema diagnosis as well as providing a microbiological basis for targeted antimicrobial treatment. This will enhance the the quality of treatment of pleural empyema and contribute to reduce the need for broad-specter antibiotics.