Clinical benefits of FilmArray meningitis-encephalitis PCR assay in partially-treated bacterial meningitis in Israel

摘要

Management of partially-treated, community-acquired bacterial meningitis (PCBM) is commonly compromised by lack of microbiological diagnosis. We aimed to analyze the impact of FilmArray Meningitis-Encephalitis (FA-ME) PCR on the management of PCBM. Comparison of treatment variables of PCBM cases between two periods, before (6.5?years, control group) and after (2?years, study group) the application of FA-ME PCR assay. The total duration of antimicrobial treatment in the study group (n?=?8) was significantly shorter than the control group (n?=?23) (9.5?±?3.7?days vs. 15.2?±?5?days, p?=?0.007). The percentage of narrow-spectrum regimens was significantly higher in the study group (78?±?11% vs. 40?±?9%, p?=?0.03). There was a significant difference in implementation of antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis for close contacts (4/8 (50%) vs. 1/23 (4%), p?=?0.01). The use of FA-ME PCR provides significant benefits in the management of PCBM by shortening duration of antibiotic treatment, increasing the use of narrow-spectrum regimens, and allowing proper administration of antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis. The study was approved and retrospectively registered by the Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center ( 0378–17-TLV , 10/17/2017) and Rabin Medical Center ( 0270–18-RMC , 11/11/2018) Ethics committees and conforms to recognized standards.