Paul Walsh
University of Stirling, UK
Title: Use of NGS and Cloud Computing Techniques for Rapid Diagnosis and Prognosis of Neonates Presenting with Septicaemia
Biography
Biography: Paul Walsh
Abstract
We have sequenced the genomes of all bacterial pathogens isolated from infants presenting with septicaemia in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh over the last 5 years. These genomic sequence data have revealed unique molecular markers which can be used for rapid diagnosis of infection – reducing diagnosis time from days (as is presently the case with traditional culture based methods) to hours. Furthermore, data from the host immune response to the infection (transcriptional data taken form the blood of infected infants) has identified prognostic markers which can rapidly predict the likely response to infection and the chances of recovery. A proprietary bank of bacterial specific diagnostic markers and host specific prognostic markers has been established and incorporated as part of a cloud based computer algorithm which allows clinicians to rapidly diagnose the causative agent of infection and, based on the calculated prognostic outcome, make an informed decision on the correct course of treatment. Currently, infants presenting with septicaemia are prescribed broad spectrum antibiotics in a blunderbuss approach, before a more targeted intervention once the culture and antibiotic sensitivity results are returned from the lab. While at present it can take up to 3 days for results to be returned and a proper treatment regimen to be instigated, our approach provides results in hours; allowing rapid intervention and significantly reducing the mortality rate associated with infant septicaemia.