Multicentre evaluation of two multiplex PCR platforms for the rapid microbiological investigation of nosocomial pneumonia in UK ICUs: the INHALE WP1 study. Issue 12 (13th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Enne, Virve I; Aydin, Alp; Baldan, Rossella; Owen, Dewi R; Richardson, Hollian; Ricciardi, Federico; Russell, Charlotte; Nomamiukor-Ikeji, Brenda O; Swart, Ann-Marie; High, Juliet; Colles, Antony; Barber, Julie; Gant, Vanya; Livermore, David M; O'Grady, Justin
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Tudtud Eleanor author non-byline.; Moore Luke author non-byline.; Mughal Nabeela author non-byline.; Singh Suveer author non-byline.; Roy Alistair author non-byline.; Sonksen Julian author non-byline.; Klein Nigel author non-byline.; Peters Mark J author non-byline.; Chand Meera author non-byline.; Edgeworth Jonathan author non-byline.; Karlikowski Michael author non-byline.; Parry Christopher author non-byline.; Welters Ingeborg D author non-byline.; Ben Morton Tim Leary author non-byline.; Moondi Parveez author non-byline.; Tremlett Catherine author non-byline.; Williams Helen author non-byline.; Cuesta Jeronimo author non-byline.; Blunt Mark author non-byline.; Mack Damien author non-byline.; Martin Daniel author non-byline.; Brealey David author non-byline.; Horne Robert author non-byline.; Shallcross Laura author non-byline.; Turner David author non-byline.
• Is Part Of: Thorax. Volume 77:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 1220
• Page End: 1228
• Publication Date: 2022-01-13
• Subjects: bacterial Infection -- critical care -- pneumonia -- respiratory infection; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thorax; Chest -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-216990
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-6376

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Culture-based microbiological investigation of hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP or VAP) is insensitive, with aetiological agents often unidentified. This can lead to excess antimicrobial treatment of patients with susceptible pathogens, while those with resistant bacteria are treated inadequately for prolonged periods. Using PCR to seek pathogens and their resistance genes directly from clinical samples may improve therapy and stewardship. Methods: Surplus routine lower respiratory tract samples were collected from intensive care unit patients about to receive new or changed antibiotics for hospital-onset lower respiratory tract infections at 15 UK hospitals. Testing was performed using the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (bioMérieux) and Unyvero Pneumonia Panel (Curetis). Concordance analysis compared machine and routine microbiology results, while Bayesian latent class (BLC) analysis estimated the sensitivity and specificity of each test, incorporating information from both PCR panels and routine microbiology. Findings: In 652 eligible samples; PCR identified pathogens in considerably more samples compared with routine microbiology: 60.4% and 74.2% for Unyvero and FilmArray respectively vs 44.2% by routine microbiology. PCR tests also detected more pathogens per sample than routine microbiology. For common HAP/VAP pathogens, FilmArray had sensitivity of 91.7%–100.0% and specificity of 87.5%–99.5%; Unyvero had sensitivity of 50.0%–100.0%%, and specificity of 89.4%–99.0%. BLC analysis indicated that, compared with PCR, routine microbiology had low sensitivity, ranging from 27.0% to 69.4%. Interpretation: Conventional and BLC analysis demonstrated that both platforms performed similarly and were considerably more sensitive than routine microbiology, detecting potential pathogens in patient samples reported as culture negative. The increased sensitivity of detection realised by PCR offers potential for improved antimicrobial prescribing.