Comprehensive Molecular Testing for Respiratory Pathogens in Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The frequent lack of a microbiological diagnosis in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) impairs pathogen-directed antimicrobial therapy. This study assessed the use of comprehensive multibacterial, multiviral molecular testing, including quantification, in adults hospitalized with CAP.

Methods

Clinical and laboratory data were collected for 323 adults with radiologically-confirmed CAP admitted to 2 UK tertiary care hospitals. Sputum (96%) or endotracheal aspirate (4%) specimens were cultured as per routine practice and also tested with fast multiplex real-time polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) assays for 26 respiratory bacteria and viruses. Bacterial loads were also calculated for 8 bacterial pathogens. Appropriate pathogen-directed therapy was retrospectively assess

SUBMITTER: Gadsby NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4787606 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature