Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
15:18

Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure

Published on: July 30, 2009

18.3K

Current state and practice variation in the use of Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) FilmArray panel in children

Prabi Rajbhandari1, Nathaniel Goodrich2, Aleisha M Nabower3

  • 1Akron Children's Hospital, One Perkins Square, Akron, OH, USA.

BMC Infectious Diseases
|November 1, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray® Panel (ME panel) is widely used, but most providers lack institutional guidelines for its use and interpretation. Educational initiatives are needed to improve understanding and application of ME panel results.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Clinical diagnostics
  • Molecular testing

Background:

  • The Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray® Panel (ME panel) offers rapid diagnostics for suspected meningitis or encephalitis.
  • Evaluation of these patients involves multiple pediatric subspecialties, including hospital medicine, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, and intensive care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the current utilization of the ME panel across different pediatric subspecialties.
  • To identify variations in provider practices and institutional guidelines regarding ME panel use.

Main Methods:

  • An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to pediatric subspecialty listservs.
  • The survey targeted physicians in pediatric hospital medicine, emergency medicine, and pediatric intensive care.

Main Results:

  • 68% of respondents reported current use of the ME panel.
  • A significant majority (75-76%) lacked institutional guidelines for test indications and interpretation.
  • Providers with institutional guidelines demonstrated higher knowledge of the ME panel's performance characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • Widespread adoption of the ME panel contrasts with a lack of standardized institutional guidelines.
  • There is a clear need for enhanced education and guidance on ME panel indications and interpretation for pediatric subspecialists.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor Cerebral Function Monitor to Neonates05:58

Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor Cerebral Function Monitor to Neonates

Published on: September 6, 2017

39.2K
Hippocampal Neuronal Cultures to Detect and Study New Pathogenic Antibodies Involved in Autoimmune Encephalitis08:20

Hippocampal Neuronal Cultures to Detect and Study New Pathogenic Antibodies Involved in Autoimmune Encephalitis

Published on: June 2, 2022

3.4K

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...