Multiplex-PCR Identification of Positive Blood Cultures: Pathogen Epidemiology, Resistance Determinants, and the Economic and Interpretive Cost of Qualitative Rapid Diagnosis
Randomized trial examines rapid multiplex-PCR impacts on pathogen detection and costs in bloodstream infections, suggesting improvements for diagnostics.
Key Points
This study aims to evaluate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of multiplex-PCR in identifying pathogens from positive blood cultures during bloodstream infections.
Retrospective review of all BioFire BCID2 tests on signal-positive blood cultures over twenty-two months.
Classified results as single-pathogen-positive, polymicrobial-positive, or negative.
Conducted a direct-cost analysis at €250 per test.
401 out of 498 runs (80.5%) identified at least one pathogen; 330 were single-pathogen positives.
Primary pathogens included Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and the Klebsiella pneumoniae group.
Total reagent costs were €124,500, with €24,250 spent on negative results.