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Impact of the BioFire FilmArray gastrointestinal panel on patient care and infection control
Julian D Machiels1, Amelieke J H Cremers1, Muriël C G T van Bergen-Verkuyten1
1Department of Medical Microbiology & Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Objectives:
Conventional routine PCR testing for gastrointestinal infections is generally based on pathogen related panels specifically requested by clinicians and can be erroneous and time consuming. The BioFire FilmArray gastrointestinal (GI) panel combines 22 pathogens into a single cartridge-based test on a random-access system, thereby reducing the turnaround time to less than 2 hours. We described the clinical impact of implementing the BioFire FilmArray on patients with gastroenteritis in our hospital.
Methods:
Patients attending a Dutch tertiary care center (Radboud University Medical Center), from whom stool samples were obtained, were eligible for inclusion. The clinicians selected one or a combination of different routinely performed PCR panels (bacterial panel, viral panel, clostridium testing, and three parasitic panels) based on clinical history and symptoms. All samples were in parallel tested with the FilmArray. We retrospectively collected patient data regarding infection control and patient management to assess the potential impact of implementing the FilmArray.
Results:
In total 182 patients were included. Routine PCR detected one or more pathogens in 52 (28.6%) patients compared to 72 (39.6%) using the FilmArray. Turnaround time (including transport) decreased from median 53 hours for the routine PCR to 16 hours for the FilmArray. Twenty-six patients could have been removed from isolation 29 hours sooner, 3.6 antibiotic days could have been saved and in five patients additional imaging testing (including colonoscopies) could have been prevented.
Conclusion:
The theoretical implementation of the BioFire FilmArray GI panel in patients with clinical suspicion of gastroenteritis resulted in a significant better patient management.
Insights
The BioFire FilmArray gastrointestinal (GI) panel significantly improves patient management for gastroenteritis. This rapid test detects more pathogens and reduces diagnostic time compared to conventional PCR methods.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Conventional PCR for gastrointestinal infections is often slow, error-prone, and relies on clinician-specific panels.
- The BioFire FilmArray GI panel offers a comprehensive, cartridge-based solution for rapid pathogen detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical impact of implementing the BioFire FilmArray GI panel in patients with gastroenteritis.
- To compare the diagnostic performance and efficiency of the FilmArray against routine PCR methods.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study at a Dutch tertiary care center included 182 patients with gastroenteritis.
- Stool samples were tested in parallel using routine PCR panels and the BioFire FilmArray GI panel.
- Patient data on infection control and management were collected to assess the impact.
Main Results:
- The FilmArray detected pathogens in 39.6% of patients, compared to 28.6% with routine PCR.
- Turnaround time decreased from a median of 53 hours (routine PCR) to 16 hours (FilmArray).
- Potential benefits included earlier isolation removal, reduced antibiotic use, and avoidance of further diagnostic procedures.
Conclusions:
- The BioFire FilmArray GI panel implementation leads to significantly improved patient management for gastroenteritis.
- This rapid, multiplex diagnostic tool enhances efficiency and clinical decision-making in diagnosing infectious gastroenteritis.
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