Liquid biopsy in microbial infection diagnosis: Sepsis detection and management

Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with early and accurate diagnosis critical for improving patient outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as blood cultures and PCR, are limited by long turnaround times, low sensitivity, and contamination risks. Liquid biopsy, a non-invasive diagnostic approach, has emerged as a promising alternative, leveraging the detection of microbial cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood samples. This review explores the principles of liquid biopsy in the context of sepsis diagnosis, highlighting its advantages over conventional methods, such as enhanced sensitivity, specificity, and faster time-to-result. We examine the clinical applications of liquid biopsy in early detection, pathogen identification, and antimicrobial resistance profiling. Moreover, we discuss challenges, including technical limitations, cost barriers, and issues related to data interpretation and contamination. Looking to the future, we envision the integration of liquid biopsy with AI, electronic health records, and point-of-care platforms to revolutionize sepsis management. Despite hurdles, liquid biopsy offers great promise for improving diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making in sepsis care.