Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Experimental Model to Evaluate Resolution of Pneumonia
Published on: February 17, 2023
The Value of FilmArray Pneumonia Panel plus in Managing Nosocomial Respiratory Infections in Hospitalized Patients:
Omima Sayed Mohammed1,2, Abdulmabod Omar3,4, Mohammad AbdElhameed Alwaseef5
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Background:
The traditional reliance on slow culture-based diagnostics often leads to delays in targeted therapy and the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, aggravating the problem of antimicrobial resistance.
Aim:
To compare the BioFire, FilmArray Pneumonia Panel plus (FA-PneumobioMérieux) assay with a conventional diagnostic tools, including culture and VITEK 2 (bioMérieux), to identify microorganisms in critically ill patients (severe pulmonary infection) to get the best results within a short period.
Methods:
An observational, comparative cross-sectional, hospital-based investigation was carried out at the microbiology unit of the clinical pathology department of Alazhar University hospitals. Lower respiratory tract samples were collected from patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia and ICU admissions. Conventional culture was carried out for all specimens. Susceptibility testing was performed on all specimens using the VITEK 2 system (bioMérieux). The BioFire FA-Pneumo assay was conducted according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Results:
Out of 60 patients with pneumonia 90% of specimens were sputum samples. For all examined pathogens, there was no statistically significant difference between the detection rates of Multiplex PCR and Vitek methods (P-value >0.05). The most prevalent resistant gene detected by Multiplex PCR was gene (blaNDM-1 ), found in 23.3% (n=14) of the samples, followed by OXA-48-like, which was found in 15% (n=9) of the samples. The detection of CTX-, CTX-M, KPC, mecA/C, and MREJ, VIM resistant genes were at lower frequencies.
Conclusion:
The FilmArray Pneumonia Panel Plus (FA-Pneumo) is a rapid molecular diagnostic tool designed to overcome the limitations of conventional methods by quickly identifying a broad range of pathogens and resistance genes. The capability of FA-Pneumo to rapidly identify both pathogens and key resistance genes provides a significant advantage for clinical decision-making.
Insights
The FilmArray Pneumonia Panel Plus (FA-Pneumo) assay offers rapid identification of pneumonia pathogens and resistance genes in critically ill patients. This molecular diagnostic tool aids faster clinical decisions compared to traditional culture methods.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Technology
Background:
- Traditional culture-based diagnostics for pneumonia are slow, leading to delayed targeted therapy.
- This delay contributes to the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics and exacerbates antimicrobial resistance.
- Rapid diagnostics are crucial for timely and effective treatment of severe pulmonary infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the performance of the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel Plus (FA-Pneumo) assay against conventional diagnostic methods.
- The study aimed to identify microorganisms in critically ill patients with severe pulmonary infections.
- The goal was to achieve rapid and accurate results for improved patient management.
Main Methods:
- An observational, comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Alazhar University hospitals.
- Lower respiratory tract samples were collected from patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia and ICU admissions.
- Samples were analyzed using conventional culture, VITEK 2 susceptibility testing, and the BioFire FA-Pneumo multiplex PCR assay.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference was found in pathogen detection rates between multiplex PCR and VITEK methods (P > 0.05).
- The most prevalent resistance genes detected were blaNDM-1 (23.3%) and OXA-48-like (15%).
- Other resistance genes like CTX-M, KPC, mecA/C, and VIM were detected at lower frequencies.
Conclusions:
- The BioFire FA-Pneumo assay is a rapid molecular diagnostic tool that overcomes limitations of conventional methods.
- It quickly identifies a broad range of pathogens and key antimicrobial resistance genes.
- Rapid identification by FA-Pneumo significantly aids clinical decision-making in managing severe pneumonia.
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