Background: Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and high resource consumption. The BioFire FilmArray is a molecular diagnostic panel capable of identifying 14 pathogens in approximately one hour, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. However, it is not yet widely available in the Brazilian public health system.
Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the pre-test probability of positivity of the Biofire FilmArray bioMérieux Meningitis/Encephalitis panel in patients with clinical syndrome of meningitis and/or encephalitis and pleocytosis (CSF ≥ 5 cells).
As secondary objectives, the study aims to:
Determine the clinical impact of using the panel through variables such as total hospital stay and length of stay in the intensive care unit.
Compare the duration of antibiotic use in non-bacterial cases between groups. Compare the time to reduction of acyclovir use in etiologies without proven benefit.
Compare the time for identification of the causative pathogen and mortality rates between the study groups.
Perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of the test. Compare the request for imaging exams, such as brain MRI and CT scan, between the groups.
Methods: This is a prospective, transversal, and multicenter study conducted at Santa Casa de Porto Alegre and Hospital Dom João Becker. Patients will be compared with a retrospective cohort used as a control group.
None
Failure to sign the Informed Consent Form.
Parallel
Biofire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel
Diagnostic testThe Biofire FilmArray is a multiplex molecular diagnostic test that will be performed on 0.2 mL of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from patients via lumbar or suboccipital puncture. The system automatically performs DNA/RNA extraction, purification, multiplex PCR, and identification of 14 different pathogens (6 bacteria, 7 viruses, and 1 fungus). The complete process takes approximately one hour and provides qualitative results to guide therapeutic decisions such as antibiotic stewardship.
Rate of BioFire® FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Positivity
Proportion of positive BioFire® FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis panel results among participants presenting with a clinical syndrome of meningitis and/or encephalitis and cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis (≥ 5 cells/mm³).
Total hospital length of stay in days
Duration of hospitalization, measured in days, compared between study groups.
Intensive care unit length of stay in days
Duration of intensive care unit stay, measured in days, compared between study groups.
Duration of antibiotic therapy in participants without confirmed bacterial infection
Duration of systemic antibiotic therapy, measured in days, compared between study groups in participants without confirmed bacterial etiology.
Duration of acyclovir therapy in participants without confirmed indication
Duration of acyclovir therapy, measured in days, compared between study groups in participants without confirmed indication of benefit.
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Federal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre
Lead sponsor
Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre
Collaborator
BioMérieux
Collaborator
