Implementation of the FilmArray ME panel in laboratory routine using a simple sample selection strategy for diagnosis of meningitis and encephalitis.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Infectious meningitis is a serious disease and patient outcome relies on fast and reliable diagnostics. A syndromic panel testing approach like the FilmArray ME can accelerate diagnosis and therefore decrease the time to pathogen specific therapy. Yet, its clinical utility is controversial, mainly because of a remaining uncertainty in correct interpretation of results, limited data on its performance on clinical specimens and its relatively high costs. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical performance of the assay in a real life setting at a tertiary university hospital using a pragmatic and simple sample selection strategy to reduce the overall cost burden. METHODS:Over a period of 18 months we received 4623 CSF samples (2338 hospitalizations, 1601 individuals). FilmArr

SUBMITTER: Pfefferle S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7036261 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature