Biomarkers for late-onset neonatal sepsis

The diagnosis of healthcare-associated infections is problematic because of the overlap between clinical signs associated with 'normal' physiological disturbances and those of bacteremia or fungemia. Earlier diagnosis of sepsis in critically ill infants would enable timely administration of antibiotics and discontinuation of treatment in infants with a low probability of sepsis. A recent study by Ng et al. identified two novel biomarkers for late-onset neonatal sepsis: the des-arginine variant of serum amyloid A and apolipoprotein C-II. These markers may be of value in the identification of neonates with bacteremia or fungemia.