RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic potential and clinical impact of an automated multiplex PCR platform (the FilmArray Respiratory Panel; FA-RP), specially designed for pathogen detection in respiratory tract infections in adults with unexplained pneumonia (UP). METHODS: A total of 112 UP patients in Shanghai, China, were enrolled prospectively and assessed using the FA-RP from October 2016 to March 2018. We examined the test results and their influence on clinical decisions. Furthermore, as a control group, we retrospectively obtained the clinical data of 70 UP patients between October 2014 and March 2016 (before the FA-RP was available). The two patient groups were compared with respect to factors, including general antimicrobial use and defined daily dose (DDD) numbers. RESULTS: Between October 2016 and March 2018, the positive rate obtained using FA-RP for UP was 76.8%. The primary pathogens in adults with UP were Influenza A/B (47.3%, 53/112). Compared with the patients before FA-RP was available, patients who underwent FA-RP testing had higher rates of antiviral drug use and antibiotic de-escalation during clinical treatment. FA-RP significantly decreased the total DDDs of antibiotic or antifungal drugs DDDs by 7 days after admission (10.6 ± 2.5 vs 14.1 ± 8.8, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The FA-RP is a rapid and sensitive nucleic acid amplification test method for UP diagnosis in adults. The application of FA-RP may lead to a more accurately targeted antimicrobial treatment and reduced use of antibiotic/antifungal drugs.