Table 1.
Demographic data and clinical variables at the time of sampling. Demographic and clinical data showed no relevant differences regarding NGS positivity. Data are presented as the median and interquartile range or as counts and percentages, as appropriate. CRP: C-reactive protein; ICU: intensive care unit; IL-6: interleukin 6; NGS: next-generation sequencing; PCT: Procalcitonin; SOFA: sequential organ failure assessment.
| Variable | Total (n = 25) | NGS | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive (n = 13) | Negative (n = 12) | |||
| Age (years) | 70.0 (56.5–76.5) | 75.0 (70.0–78.5) | 59.5 (49.5–71.5) | 0.03 |
| Male sex | 16 (64) | 8 (62) | 8 (67) | 1 |
| Admission source | ||||
| Emergency room | 11 (44) | 6 (46) | 5 (42) | 0.82 |
| General hospital ward | 7 (28) | 4 (31) | 4 (33) | 0.67 |
| Intermediate care unit | 1 (4) | - | 1 (8) | 0.48 |
| Intensive care unit | 6 (24) | 3 (23) | 2 (17) | 0.65 |
| ICU stay (days) | 20.0 (11.0–33.5) | 22.0 (11.0–44.5) | 20.0 (11.3–29.0) | 0.61 |
| Mechanical ventilation (days) | 13.0 (8.5–27.0) | 18.0 (9.0–39.0) | 12.0 (4.75–21.3) | 0.34 |
| In-hospital death | 16 (64) | 9 (69) | 7 (58) | 0.69 |
| Comorbid conditions | ||||
| Arterial hypertension | 18 (72) | 10 (77) | 8 (67) | 0.67 |
| Cardiovascular disease | 14 (56) | 10 (77) | 4 (33) | 0.03 |
| Pulmonary disease | 4 (16) | 3 (23) | 1 (8) | 0.59 |
| Renal disease | 3 (12) | 2 (15) | 1 (8) | 1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 5 (20) | 3 (23) | 2 (17) | 1 |
| Status at sampling | ||||
| SOFA-Score | 8.0 (6.5–10.5) | 9.00 (6.0–11.5) | 7.50 (6.3–8.0) | 0.43 |
| Ventilation | ||||
| Oxygen support | 8 (32) | 2 (15) | 6 (50) | 0.10 |
| Non-invasive ventilation | 4 (16) | 2 (15) | 2 (17) | 1 |
| Invasive mechanical ventilation | 13 (52) | 9 (69) | 4 (33) | 0.07 |
| Oxygenation (paO2/FiO2, mmHg) | 144.0 (94.5–183) | 144.0 (103–195) | 144.0 (87.8–184) | 0.74 |
| Vasopressor therapy | 22 (88) | 12 (92) | 10 (83) | 0.59 |
| Renal replacement therapy | 8 (32) | 6 (46) | 2 (17) | 0.20 |
| Antimicrobial therapy | 13 (52) | 8 (62) | 5 (42) | 0.32 |
| Laboratory values | ||||
| Leucocytes (109/L) | 12.4 (8.36–16.5) | 12.2 (8.71–18.1) | 12.48 (8.27–15.4) | 1 |
| Neutrophils (109/L) | 8.13 (7.20–14.6) | 8.13 (7.57–14.8) | 9.430 (5.74–13.8) | 0.74 |
| Lymphocytes (109/L) | 0.63 (0.46–1.33) | 0.72 (0.48–1.60) | 0.62 (0.42–1.09) | 0.36 |
| CRP (mg/L) | 154 (82.2–219) | 130 (66.9–203) | 164 (120–252) | 0.25 |
| PCT (µg/L) | 1.00 (0.40–3.60) | 2.20 (0.45–5.45) | 0.50 (0.23–1.38) | 0.07 |
| IL-6 (ng/L) | 82.0 (35.0–686) | 109 (35.0–686) | 76.0 (34.0–869) | 0.87 |