Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique
Published on: September 23, 2022
Comparative evaluation of the FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis molecular panel in a pediatric population
Erin H Graf1, Maria Victoria Farquharson2, Ana María Cárdenas1
1University of Pennsylvania, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Infectious Disease Diagnostics Laboratory, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Abstract:
We compared an FDA cleared molecular meningitis/encephalitis panel to lab developed viral PCRs and bacterial culture. Of the 67 viral PCR or bacterial culture-positive samples, 92.5% were positive for the same target by the panel. Of the 66 negative samples tested, no targets were detected by the panel, for an agreement of 96.2%.
Insights
A new FDA-cleared molecular panel accurately detects meningitis and encephalitis targets. The panel showed high agreement with established methods, confirming its utility in diagnosing these serious central nervous system infections.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Molecular diagnostics
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Meningitis and encephalitis are critical central nervous system infections requiring rapid diagnosis.
- Current diagnostic methods include laboratory-developed viral PCRs and bacterial cultures.
- There is a need for efficient and accurate molecular diagnostic tools for these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of an FDA-cleared molecular meningitis/encephalitis panel.
- To compare the panel's results against established laboratory-developed viral PCRs and bacterial culture methods.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the molecular panel for central nervous system infections.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of an FDA-cleared molecular panel with laboratory-developed viral PCR and bacterial culture assays.
- Testing of clinical samples previously identified as positive or negative by conventional methods.
- Calculation of diagnostic agreement and detection rates.
Main Results:
- The molecular panel correctly identified 92.5% of 67 positive samples (viral PCR or bacterial culture-positive).
- No targets were detected by the panel in 66 tested negative samples.
- An overall agreement of 96.2% was observed between the panel and conventional methods.
Conclusions:
- The FDA-cleared molecular meningitis/encephalitis panel demonstrates high accuracy and concordance with established diagnostic techniques.
- The panel is a reliable tool for the detection of common causes of meningitis and encephalitis.
- This molecular assay offers a valuable advancement in the rapid and accurate diagnosis of central nervous system infections.
