Evaluation of a commercial multiplex PCR for diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) nosocomial infections

J Microbiol Methods. 2020 Apr:171:105865. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2020.105865. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

Abstract

Nosocomial Central Nervous System (CNS) infections are often serious complications of neurosurgical procedures. Their diagnosis is complex and frequently based on microbiological culture. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the FilmArray® Blood Culture Identification (BCID) panel, a multiplex PCR designed to identify the most common etiologic agents of sepsis involved with nosocomial CNS infections. A total of ninety samples were analyzed with the BCID panel. The sensitivity and specificity achieved were 77.4% and 100% respectively, when compared with the reference method (culture). Based on the analysis of the melting curves, another cut-off was established improving sensitivity to 83.9% whilst maintaining 98.3% specificity. The BCID panel seems to be a helpful tool for the prompt diagnosis of CNS nosocomial infections. The cut-off proposed here can increase sensitivity, but further studies are required to confirm its effectiveness and its applicability in clinical microbiology laboratories.

Keywords: CNS infections; External ventricular drainage; FilmArray; Multiplex-PCR; Nosocomial; Ventriculitis.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Central Nervous System / microbiology
  • Central Nervous System Infections / diagnosis*
  • Central Nervous System Infections / microbiology
  • Critical Care
  • Cross Infection / diagnosis*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sepsis / diagnosis
  • Sepsis / microbiology