2011. Use of Biofire®Filmarray gastrointestinal panel on clinical decision making and infection control in a General Pediatric Department.


 
 
 The new Biofire® Filmarray Gastrointestinal Panel (BFGI-BioMérieux, France) offers advantage against conventional cultures of gastrointestinal tract specimens with rapid detection and a broader pathogen identification. Aim of this study is to evaluate the use of BFGI and compare detection of pathogens in GI samples with conventional cultures in hospitalized children with gastroenteritis.
 
 
 
 A retrospective study was conducted in a General Tertiary level Pediatric Department from Jan 2020 to Apr 2022. Children were included if an appropriate GI tract specimen was obtained for clinical evaluation and was assessed by BFGI. Results were compared with conventional cultures. Demographic, clinical, laboratory data, treatment and the effect of the BFGI on clinical decision making were analyzed.
 
 
 
 Fifty-eight children were included, 27(46%) females, with mean age 5.1 (IQR 9.35). Thirty-one (53%) had an underlying condition, or a prolonged hospital stay. All children had diarrhea, 44% had fever and 25% had vomits. The most common pathogens were Norovirus (8/58), Campylobacter (7/58) and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC, 6/58), followed by Clostridium difficile, Rotavirus and Salmonella spp. Five of the Norovirus cases were detected within a 10-day period, in children that were hospitalized for other reasons, indicating an intrahospital outbreak. In five patients there was a co-infection with 2 or more pathogens. In 35 patients a stool culture (salmonella and shigella) was performed. All cultures were negative. In 20 (57%) patients, culture results were in accordance with a negative BFGI, but in the rest 15 (42%) patients the PCR detected at least one pathogen. Only 17 patients were treated with antimicrobials, because of age < 3 months or the severity of disease/ comorbidities. A macrolide was prescribed in all campylobacter cases (clarithromycin, 57%, azithromycin, 43%).
 
 
 
 In this cohort of hospitalized patients with gastroenteritis, BFGI offered a rapid and more precise result, in comparison to cultures. It helped recognize a norovirus outbreak in the department and improve the infection control measures. Finally, it assisted the clinical decision making leading to more rational and targeted antibiotic administration.
 
 
 
 All Authors: No reported disclosures.
