Rapid Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Positive Blood Cultures

In a randomized trial, use of an rmPCR assay decreased time to pathogen identification from 22 to 1.3 hours and — when combined with antimicrobial stewardship — accelerated antimicrobial de-escalation.

Conventional methods for identification and susceptibility testing of bacteria and fungi in blood cultures can take ≥2 days, leading to both treatment delay and antibiotic overuse. Rapid molecular diagnostic assays are now available for directly testing positive blood cultures. At present, however, they are added on to conventional methods and increase the complexity and cost of the testing.

In a randomized, controlled study involving 617 Mayo Clinic patients between August 2013 and March 2014, researchers compared the results from standard blood culture bottle (BCB) processing with findings from a rapid multiplex polymerase chain reaction (rmPCR) assay and those from rmPCR combined with real-time antimicrobial stewardship (rmPCR/AS). The rm…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Rapid Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Positive Blood Cultures

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Reviewing Author