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Enhanced Identification of Group B Streptococcus and Escherichia Coli in Young Infants with Meningitis Using the
Harbir Singh Arora1, Basim I Asmar, Hossein Salimnia
1From the *Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan; †Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; ‡Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; §Detroit Medical Center University Laboratories, Detroit, Michigan; and ¶Division of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan.
Abstract:
FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel was tested on 62 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from young infants (0-3 months) with suspected meningitis and compared with CSF cultures. Twelve CSF samples from 9 infants were positive by ME PCR panel (10 Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and 2 Escherichia coli) of which only 5 were positive by culture. The 7 CSF samples that were positive only by ME PCR panel were obtained from infants who had received prior antibiotic treatment. The ME PCR panel can be a useful tool in the rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in pretreated young infants.
Insights
The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel aids in diagnosing bacterial meningitis in infants. This rapid test is effective even after antibiotic treatment, improving early detection.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Molecular diagnostics
Background:
- Meningitis in infants presents diagnostic challenges.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes.
- Conventional methods like cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture can be limited, especially in pretreated patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of the FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel.
- To assess its utility in the rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in young infants (0-3 months).
- To compare ME PCR panel results with CSF culture in this population.
Main Methods:
- A total of 62 CSF samples from infants with suspected meningitis were analyzed.
- Samples were tested using the FilmArray ME PCR panel.
- Results were compared against traditional CSF culture methods.
Main Results:
- The ME PCR panel detected pathogens in 12 CSF samples from 9 infants (10 Group B Streptococcus, 2 Escherichia coli).
- Only 5 of these 12 positive samples were also positive by CSF culture.
- Seven samples positive by ME PCR panel were from infants who had received prior antibiotic treatment.
Conclusions:
- The FilmArray ME PCR panel demonstrates significant utility for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in young infants.
- The panel is particularly valuable in identifying pathogens in pretreated infants where cultures may be negative.
- This molecular diagnostic tool can aid in timely and appropriate clinical management.
