Assessing the impact of a positive Biofire® FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel result on clinical management and outcomes

Shon Dahan Nassy; Maya Azrad; Said Abozaid; Daniel Glikman; Hiba Zayyad; Adi Zaidman-Shimshovitz; Avi Peretz

doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2022.115769

Assessing the impact of a positive Biofire® FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel result on clinical management and outcomes

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2022 Nov;104(3):115769. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2022.115769. Epub 2022 Jul 18.

Authors

Shon Dahan Nassy¹, Maya Azrad², Said Abozaid³, Daniel Glikman⁴, Hiba Zayyad⁵, Adi Zaidman-Shimshovitz⁶, Avi Peretz⁷

Affiliations

¹ Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel. Electronic address: sdahan11@gmail.com.
² Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, affiliated with Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel. Electronic address: mazrad@poria.health.gov.il.
³ Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel; The department of pediatrics, Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, affiliated with Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel. Electronic address: SAboZaid@poria.health.gov.il.
⁴ Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Infectious Disease Unit, The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, affiliated with Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel. Electronic address: DGlikman@poria.health.gov.il.
⁵ Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Infectious Disease Unit, The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, affiliated with Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel. Electronic address: habuzayyad@poria.health.gov.il.
⁶ Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Infectious Disease Unit, The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, affiliated with Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel. Electronic address: AZaidmanSh@poria.health.gov.il.
⁷ Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, affiliated with Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel. Electronic address: aperetz@poria.health.gov.il.

PMID: 35964557
DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2022.115769

Abstract

A rapid and accurate diagnosis of meningitis/encephalitis (ME) is required for early and effective intervention or adjustment of empirical treatment. This study retrospectively analyzed 485 records of patients hospitalized at the Padeh Poriya Medical Center during 2016-2020, due to a suspicion of ME. Pathogen distribution in cerebrospinal fluid samples, as determined using the BioFire® FilmArray ME Panel (MEP), is presented, as well as comparison of demographic and clinical characteristics, clinical management and outcomes of MEP⁺ (105) vs MEP^- (380) patients. Pathogen distribution correlated with that reported in the literature, with Enterovirus (62%) being the most common causative agent. MEP⁺ patients were significantly younger than MEP^- patients. Antibiotics use prior to lumbar puncture was significantly higher among MEP⁺ patients. MEP⁺ was associated with more frequent antibiotic change, compared to MEP^-. While MEP⁺ contributed to early treatment adjustment or cessation, it did not necessarily impact the length of stay or patient outcomes.

Keywords: Biofire® FilmArray Panel; Clinical management and outcomes; Meningitis/encephalitis; Pathogen distribution; Positive result.

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
Encephalitis* / diagnosis
Humans
Meningitis* / diagnosis
Meningitis* / drug therapy
Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
Retrospective Studies

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents