TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessment of the FilmArray® multiplex PCR system and associated meningitis/encephalitis panel in the diagnostic service of a tertiary hospital
AU - Mostyn, Amanda
AU - Lenihan, Marie
AU - O'Sullivan, Donnchadh
AU - Woods, Sara
AU - O'Hara, Maureen
AU - Powell, James
AU - Power, Lorraine
AU - O'Connell, Nuala H.
AU - Dunne, Colum P.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Authors
PY - 2020/6
Y1 - 2020/6
N2 - Rapid and accurate diagnosis of meningitis/encephalitis (M/E) is essential for successful patient outcomes. The FilmArray® meningitis/encephalitis Panel (MEP) is a multiplexed PCR test for simultaneous, rapid detection of pathogens directly from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. 94 prospectively collected CSF specimens from patients with clinical suspicion of infective M/E underwent testing for 14 pathogens simultaneously, including Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Varicella zoster. MEP demonstrated 95% agreement with current PCR methods, resulting in 16 diagnosed cases of M/E. Typically, the FilmArray® MEP results were delivered within approximately one hour, contrasting with current practices taking up to 5.6 days. Given the significant morbidity and mortality associated with delayed diagnosis of central nervous system infections, the FilmArray® MEP is a useful addition to the diagnostic capabilities of a clinical microbiology department.
AB - Rapid and accurate diagnosis of meningitis/encephalitis (M/E) is essential for successful patient outcomes. The FilmArray® meningitis/encephalitis Panel (MEP) is a multiplexed PCR test for simultaneous, rapid detection of pathogens directly from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. 94 prospectively collected CSF specimens from patients with clinical suspicion of infective M/E underwent testing for 14 pathogens simultaneously, including Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Varicella zoster. MEP demonstrated 95% agreement with current PCR methods, resulting in 16 diagnosed cases of M/E. Typically, the FilmArray® MEP results were delivered within approximately one hour, contrasting with current practices taking up to 5.6 days. Given the significant morbidity and mortality associated with delayed diagnosis of central nervous system infections, the FilmArray® MEP is a useful addition to the diagnostic capabilities of a clinical microbiology department.
KW - Diagnosis
KW - Economic benefit
KW - Improved patient outcome
KW - Meningitis/encephalitis
KW - Multiplex PCR
KW - Reduced time
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85100655514&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.infpip.2020.100042
DO - 10.1016/j.infpip.2020.100042
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85100655514
SN - 2590-0889
VL - 2
SP - 100042
JO - Infection Prevention in Practice
JF - Infection Prevention in Practice
IS - 2
M1 - 100042
ER -