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Updated: Feb 4, 2026
14:42
Biology of Microbial Communities - Interview
Published on: May 28, 2007
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Microbial Detection in Community-Acquired Pleural Space Infections Using the BIOFIRE Joint Infection Panel and
Portia Mira1, Ruben Dyrhovden2, Marit Gjerde Tellevik2
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Summary
Molecular diagnostics, including the BIOFIRE Joint Infection Panel, offer superior detection of community-acquired pleural infections compared to traditional culture methods. This approach enhances microbial profiling for better treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Community-acquired pleural infection diagnosis relies on timely and accurate microbiological identification.
- Current diagnostic methods, including culture, often lack the speed and sensitivity required for effective management.
- Molecular diagnostic approaches hold promise for improving pathogen detection in pleural fluid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare molecular diagnostic methods for pathogen detection in pleural infections.
- To evaluate the off-label use of the BIOFIRE Joint Infection (JI) Panel for pleural fluid analysis.
- To assess the utility of supplementary in-house PCRs to enhance the BIOFIRE JI Panel's performance.
Main Methods:
- Pleural fluid samples from 162 patients were analyzed at two international medical centers.
- Performance comparison included the BIOFIRE JI Panel (with and without in-house PCRs), 16S ribosomal RNA gene PCR/sequencing, and conventional culture.
- In-house PCRs targeted specific pathogens: Fusobacterium nucleatum group, Streptococcus intermedius/constellatus, and Aggregatibacter aphrophilus.
Main Results:
- The BIOFIRE JI Panel, augmented with three in-house PCRs, detected 96.8% of pleural infections, achieving complete microbial profiles in 70.8% of cases.
- 16S rRNA gene PCR/sequencing demonstrated a detection rate of 92.2% with complete profiles in 87.0%.
- Conventional culture identified bacteria in only 31.9% of pleural fluids, with complete profiles in 15.3%.
Conclusions:
- Molecular approaches, particularly panel-based PCR diagnostics, are crucial for diagnosing pleural space infections.
- The BIOFIRE JI Panel, though designed for synovial fluid, shows significant potential for modification and use in pleural fluid diagnostics.
- These findings support the development of rapid, accessible molecular diagnostics to streamline treatment for pleural infections.
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