Serum bacterial DNA detection in patients with cholangitis after Kasai procedure

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the detectability of bacterial DNA (bactDNA) and associated clinical factors in patients with cholangitis after the Kasai procedure through the identification of bactDNA in blood. Methods A cross‐sectional study of 110 patients who had undergone the Kasai procedure was carried out. A total of 77 patients had cholangitis and 33 did not. Blood samples were obtained on admission or on follow up at the outpatient visit. bactDNA was analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction‐based method, DNA nucleotide sequencing, for identification of bacterial species. Results Rate of bactDNA positivity was higher using the 16SrDNA method than the culture method (58.4% vs 14.3%, P