Better Pathogen Detection in Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing detected bacterial pathogens at twice the rate of traditional culture in a retrospective study.

Current culture techniques for diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) identify a pathogen in only 30% to 40% of cases. This under-identification can lead to antibiotic overuse and can thwart efforts to de-escalate use of antibiotics. Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays can identify a wide range of bacterial and viral pathogens in respiratory samples. Moreover, quantifying bacterial loads could help to distinguish contamination from infection.

Investigators at two centers in Edinburgh, Scotland, compared how well multiplex PCR and traditional culture detected CAP pathogens. They retrospectively screened lower respiratory tract (LRT) samples from 323 hospitalized adults with radiologically confirmed CAP. Culture d…

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)

Better Pathogen Detection in Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Topics

Reviewing Author