We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

BioFire Diagnostics

BioFire Diagnostics, a subsidiary of bioMérieux SA, offers easy-to-use clinical molecular diagnostic solutions based ... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Multiplex PCR Panel Evaluated for Diagnosis of Pneumonia

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 28 Jan 2021
Print article
Image: The BioFire FilmArray 2.0 System set the standard for in-house molecular infectious disease testing. It enables simplified test ordering, faster turnaround times, and optimized laboratory workflow (Photo courtesy of BioFire Diagnostics).
Image: The BioFire FilmArray 2.0 System set the standard for in-house molecular infectious disease testing. It enables simplified test ordering, faster turnaround times, and optimized laboratory workflow (Photo courtesy of BioFire Diagnostics).
Population based studies in the USA estimate the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia at 250 cases per 100,000 residents/year. At any given time, 1% of hospitalized patients receive treatment for hospital-acquired pneumonia, rendering pneumonia the most common healthcare-associated infection.

Despite potential benefits of achieving a microbiological diagnosis of pneumonia, including identifying resistant pathogens and decreasing antimicrobial utilization, a number of factors limit the value of traditional diagnostics in clinical practice. Guidelines emphasize the need for rapid, cost-effective and accurate diagnostic tests for pneumonia.

Infectious Disease Specialists at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine (New York, NY, USA) prospectively examined sputum specimens submitted to the microbiology laboratory for bacterial culture. From 5/2019 to 1/2020, the list of submitted specimens was reviewed twice daily. Expectorated, induced and tracheal aspirate specimens were considered for inclusion. The pneumonia panel was performed on high-quality sputum specimens and the results were prospectively compared with sputum cultures and other tests performed per standard of care.

The BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, UT, USA) was run within 24 hours of patient selection. A cutoff of ≥105 copies/mL was applied for semiquantitative bacterial assays. The panel detects semi-quantitatively 15 bacterial agents to assist with differentiation between colonization and true infection, and qualitatively three atypical bacterial and eight viral agents. Antimicrobial resistance genes including the methicillin resistance genes mecA/C and MREJ, the carbapenemases KPC, NDM, Oxa-48-like, VIM, IMP and the extended spectrum Beta-lactamase CTX-M are also detected.

The scientists reported that 70 patients were included, 69 of whom completed a 5-day antimicrobial course for pneumonia and 14.3% died during hospitalization. There was a trend of higher rate of microbiologic diagnosis among the patients with culture submitted before antimicrobial administration (9/15 versus 20/55). The panel increased the microbiologic diagnosis from 29/70 to 59/70 patients. The per isolate analysis revealed an increase in the isolation of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. On review of empiric antimicrobials, there was potential for antimicrobial optimization in 56/70 patients, including nine bacteria among nine patients, not covered by empiric treatment and another 70 antimicrobials in 49 patients that could have been stopped.

The authors observed a significant increase in the rate of microbiologic diagnosis among adult patients hospitalized with pneumonia where the pneumonia panel was used in addition to current standard of care diagnostic methods, together with abundant opportunities for optimization of antimicrobial therapy. The study was published on January 9, 2021 in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Related Links:
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
BioFire Diagnostics


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.