Enhanced Identification of Group B Streptococcus and Escherichia Coli in Young Infants with Meningitis Using the Biofire Filmarray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2017 Jul;36(7):685-687. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001551.

Abstract

FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel was tested on 62 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from young infants (0-3 months) with suspected meningitis and compared with CSF cultures. Twelve CSF samples from 9 infants were positive by ME PCR panel (10 Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and 2 Escherichia coli) of which only 5 were positive by culture. The 7 CSF samples that were positive only by ME PCR panel were obtained from infants who had received prior antibiotic treatment. The ME PCR panel can be a useful tool in the rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in pretreated young infants.

MeSH terms

  • Cohort Studies
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / diagnosis*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Michigan
  • Molecular Typing / methods*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / genetics*