Evaluation of a Multiplex PCR Panel for the Microbiological Diagnosis of Pneumonia in Hospitalized Patients: Experience from an Academic Medical Center

Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Mar:104:354-360. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.01.004. Epub 2021 Jan 9.

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated the value of BioFire® FilmArray® pneumonia panel in establishing a microbiological diagnosis of pneumonia. We evaluated opportunities for antimicrobial optimization from its use.

Methods: We included adult patients with pneumonia between May 2019 and January 2020. The pneumonia panel was used on high-quality sputum specimens, and the results were prospectively compared with sputum cultures and other tests performed according to standard of care.

Results: Seventy patients were included, sixty-nine of whom completed a 5-day antimicrobial course for pneumonia, and 14.3% died during hospitalization. There was a trend of higher rate of microbiological diagnosis among the patients with culture submitted before antimicrobial administration (9/15 vs. 20/55; p = 0.09). The panel increased the microbiological diagnosis from 29/70 to 59/70 (p < 0.001) patients. The per isolate analysis revealed an increase in the isolation of Haemophilus influenzae (p = 0.002) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (p = 0.05). On review of empiric antimicrobials, there was potential for antimicrobial optimization in 56/70 patients, including 9 bacteria among 9 patients, which were not covered by empiric treatment and another 70 antimicrobials in 49 patients that could have been stopped.

Conclusions: Incorporation of the pneumonia panel in the diagnostic work-up of pneumonia substantially increased the rate of microbiological diagnosis and revealed abundant opportunities for antimicrobial optimization.

Keywords: Diagnostic stewardship; Multiplex PCR assays; Pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents