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Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Rapid Detection of Respiratory Pathogens Using Microfluidic Chip
Published on: March 29, 2024
Performance of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction panel for identifying bacterial pathogens causing pneumonia in
François Caméléna1, Anne-Clotilde Moy2, Emmanuel Dudoignon3
1Department of Microbiology, Saint-Louis-Lariboisière Hospital Group, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France; University of Paris, INSERM 1137, IAME, Paris, France.
Abstract:
The FilmArray® Pneumonia Plus (FA-PP) panel can provide rapid identifications and semiquantitative results for many pathogens. We performed a prospective single-center study in 43 critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in which we performed 96 FA-PP tests and cultures of blind bronchoalveolar lavage (BBAL). FA-PP detected 1 or more pathogens in 32% (31/96 of samples), whereas culture methods detected at least 1 pathogen in 35% (34/96 of samples). The most prevalent bacteria detected were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 14) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 11) on both FA-PP and culture. The FA-PP results from BBAL in critically ill patients with COVID-19 were consistent with bacterial culture findings for bacteria present in the FA-PP panel, showing sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of 95%, 99%, 82%, and 100%, respectively. Median turnaround time for FA-PP was 5.5 h, which was significantly shorter than for standard culture (26 h) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results (57 h).
Insights
The FilmArray® Pneumonia Plus (FA-PP) panel accurately identifies pathogens in critically ill COVID-19 patients. This rapid molecular test significantly reduces turnaround time compared to traditional cultures.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Infectious diseases
- Molecular diagnostics
Background:
- Critically ill patients with COVID-19 are susceptible to secondary bacterial pneumonia.
- Rapid and accurate pathogen identification is crucial for effective antimicrobial therapy.
- The FilmArray® Pneumonia Plus (FA-PP) panel offers rapid detection of multiple respiratory pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of the FA-PP panel for pathogen detection in bronchoalveolar lavage (BBAL) samples from critically ill COVID-19 patients.
- To compare the FA-PP panel results with conventional culture methods.
- To assess the turnaround time of the FA-PP panel.
Main Methods:
- Prospective single-center study involving 43 critically ill COVID-19 patients.
- 96 paired tests using the FA-PP panel and BBAL cultures were performed.
- Detection of common bacterial pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
Main Results:
- The FA-PP panel detected one or more pathogens in 32% of samples, while culture detected pathogens in 35%.
- FA-PP demonstrated high concordance with culture for targeted bacteria, with 95% sensitivity and 99% specificity.
- Median FA-PP turnaround time was 5.5 hours, significantly faster than standard culture (26 hours) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (57 hours).
Conclusions:
- The FA-PP panel is a reliable and rapid diagnostic tool for identifying bacterial pathogens in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
- Its rapid results can facilitate timely antimicrobial treatment decisions.
- The FA-PP panel shows excellent performance characteristics, including high sensitivity and specificity, compared to traditional culture methods.
