Antibiotic stewardship with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for pneumonia in intensive care patients: A retrospective study
Authors' conclusion
In ICU patients with suspected pneumonia, multiplex PCR identified a higher number of pathogens compared to CMM. A retrospective assessment indicates that the use of multiplex PCR could potentially have prompted the de-escalation of antibiotic therapy in nearly half of the patients.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with pneumonia on mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU); tracheal aspirates within 24h after intubation
- Participants
- 76 adults
- Comparison
- Multiplex PCR vs CMM
- Outcome
- Concordance between multiplex PCR and conventional microbiological methods and potential impact on antibiotic therapy
Methodological detailscomparison with conventional microbiological methods
- Comparison with conventional microbiological methods
Performance
As reported in the abstract
Positive test (patients) and pathogens detected
| Test or model | Value | Pathogens detected |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplex PCR | 72.4% | 95 |
| CMM | 42.2% | 40 |
Value
Multiplex PCR72.4%
CMM42.2%
Pathogens detected
Multiplex PCR95
CMM40
- Concordance between the two methods (patients)
- 42 (55.3%)
- Additional pathogens detected by multiplex PCR
- 39 additional pathogens in 31 (40.7%) patients
Further findings
Potential antibiotic change (retrospective review)
- Potential de-escalation
- 35 (46.1%)
- Potential escalation
- 4 (5.3%)
Turnaround time for test results
- Significantly reduced with multiplex PCR
Original publication
Antibiotic stewardship with multiplex PCR for pneumonia in intensive care patients: A retrospective study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. Published 27 August 2024. doi:10.
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