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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Curetis

Curetis GmbH develops and commercializes molecular diagnostic products that are designed to address the global challe... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Pneumonia Panel Helps Curb Inappropriate Antibiotic Usage

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 23 Jun 2022

Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. More...

It's usually caused by a bacterial infection or a virus. The symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days.

Pneumonia can affect people of any age, but it's more common, and can be more serious, in certain groups of people, such as the very young or the elderly. People in these groups are more likely to need hospital treatment if they develop pneumonia.

Pulmonologists at the University Hospital Basel (Basel, Switzerland) aimed to determine whether multiplex bacterial PCR of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid aids antibiotic stewardship in patients with pneumonia. They initiated a multicenter, randomized controlled trial that was conducted at two tertiary care centers in Switzerland. Between May 31, 2017, and Sept 25, 2019, 740 patients with pneumonia were screened for eligibility and 208 were included and randomly assigned to the PCR group (n=100) or conventional microbiology control group (n=108). The mean age of patients was 65.9 ± 14.0 years. and 135 (65%) were male.

The scientists used the Unyvero Hospitalized Pneumonia panel (Curetis, Holzgerlingen, Germany) in comparison with microbiological culture for detection of bacterial pathogens. The HPN panel covers 21 pathogens and 17 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) markers, providing results in a little less than five hours. The rapid multiplex PCR-based platform employs a closed cartridge-based approach used for specimen lysis, DNA extraction, PCR, and array hybridization and is CE marked and commercially available in CE-compliant countries.

The investigators reported that after daily follow-up until hospital discharge or for a maximum of 30 days, the duration of inappropriate antibiotic treatment was significantly shorter by 38.6 hours in the PCR group than in the control group (adjusted mean 47.1 hours versus 85.7 hours), which translates as a decrease in the duration of inappropriate antibiotic therapy of 45.0%. Adverse events due to antimicrobial therapy occurred in nine patients (five [5%] in the PCR group versus four [4%] in the control group) and due to bronchoscopy occurred in four patients (two [1%] versus two [1%]). There were eight (8%) deaths in the PCR group and 11 (10%) in the control group. All in-hospital deaths were attributed to a respiratory cause.

The Unyvero HPN demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity for Gram-negative rods of 55.6% percent and 86.6%, respectively, in line with past assessments, where factors such as sample origin, clinical setting, variability in microbial culture comparators, and the use of a first-generation or a newer panel showed sensitivity ranges of 57% to 97 % and specificities of 14% to 99%.

Oliver Schacht, PhD, CEO at OpGen (Rockville, MD, USA) whose product portfolio includes the Curetis Unyvero System, said, “Here we have a clinical trial that was done over several years, prospectively, randomized, tightly controlled, with interventional use of the Unyvero data and results in one patient cohort compared to the control group where doctors had standard-of-care microbiology results only.”

The authors concluded that multiplex bacterial PCR examination of bronchoalveolar lavage decreases the duration of inappropriate antibiotic therapy of patients admitted to hospital with pneumonia and at risk of Gram-negative rod infection. This approach warrants further consideration in future antibiotic stewardship strategies. The study was published on May 23, 2022 in the journal The Lancet.

Related Links:
University Hospital Basel 
Curetis 
OpGen 


Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Sample Transportation System
Tempus1800 Necto
New
Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
LIAISON PLEX Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: Platelets sequester cfDNA during circulation (Murphy L. et al., Science, 2025; DOI: 10.1126/science.adp3971)

Platelets Could Improve Early and Minimally Invasive Detection of Cancer

Platelets are widely recognized for their role in blood clotting and scab formation, but they also play a crucial role in immune defense by detecting pathogens and recruiting immune cells.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Pathology

view channel
image: Researchers Marco Gustav (right) and MD Nic G. Reitsam (left) discuss the study data (Photo courtesy of Anja Stübner/EKFZ)

AI Model Simultaneously Detects Multiple Genetic Colorectal Cancer Markers in Tissue Samples

Colorectal cancer is a complex disease influenced by multiple genetic alterations. Traditionally, studies and diagnostic tools have focused on predicting only one mutation at a time, overlooking the interplay... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.